The Effect of Body Image, Social Physique Anxiety, and Perceived Support on the Level of Bigorexia in Young Men

This study aimed to investigate the effect of body image, social physique anxiety, and perceived social support on the level of bigorexia in young men. This cross-sectional study was conducted during the 2022-2023 academic year. The population of the study was 15 890 male students enrolled in undergraduate at Süleyman Demirel University. The population size (N) was 15 890, with prevalence (p):70/120 and margin of error (α): 5%, design effect:1 was assumed. The sample size of 366 was calculated in the OpenEpi program. Adding 5% and stratifying by faculties resulted in a determination of 386. Data were collected using hybrid stratified random sampling (n=386). The data were evaluated employing percentages, means, standard deviations, minimum and maximum values, chi-square and t tests, Pearson correlation, and logistic regression analyses. A significance level of p<0.05 was statistical significance. The dependent variable was bigorexia determined by MDDI scores. In the study group, the prevalence of bigorexia was 18.9%, regular exercise was 58.8%, and the ergogenic support useage was 19.4%. Among those living in their own homes, bigorexia was 0.5 times lower compared to those living in other accommodations including apartments, dormitories, or with relatives (p=0.017). Bigorexia was 4.8 times higher among individuals ergogenic support useage compared to non-users (p<0.001). As concerns about physical appearance (SPA) increased, bigorexia increased by 1.3 times (p<0.001). As the level of body perception satisfaction (BIS) and perceived social support (MPSS) increased, the level of bigorexia (MDDI) decreased (r=-0.011, p=0.832; r=-0.152, p=0.003, respectively). As the perceived social support from family or friends increased, bigorexia (MDDI) decreased (r= -0.150, p=0.003 and r= -0.148, p=0.004, respectively). This study found a prevalence one in every five young men, indicating a relatively high frequency of bigorexia. It was observed that body image, social physique anxiety, and perceived social support are influential factors in bigorexia.