In a world where societal pressures and media influence often focus on women's body image, it's crucial to shed light on a less-discussed but equally pressing issue: men, body image, and eating disorders. Research on men's culture and body image reveals a complex interplay of factors influencing how men perceive and engage with their bodies. Societal expectations, media representations, and peer influences play significant roles in shaping men's body image ideals.

For instance, many men experience muscular dysmorphia, a condition where individuals obsessively pursue extreme muscle growth, often to the detriment of their mental and physical health. This topic was the focus of my doctoral research where I found that steroid-using, body-building men often had similar psychological challenges as women living with anorexia.

Understanding this evolving landscape is crucial in addressing men's body image issues and promoting a healthier, more inclusive perspective on masculinity and self-worth. By understanding these challenges, men’s health advocates hope to foster greater awareness, empathy, and support for men facing these issues.

In this episode, I interview Ross Sonnenblick about his doctoral research, his desire to help others, and his lived experience with body image challenges.

About Ross Sonnenblick

Ross Sonnenblick is a clinical psychology PhD student at Drexel University, where his research focuses on men’s experiences with eating disorders. He has a long-standing interest in positive psychology, and his ultimate goal is to help all people feel better in their bodies and about themselves. Ross believes that to improve our collective mental health, we must first acknowledge how our mental health can falter. To that end, he is passionate about reducing the societal stigma surrounding mental illness, especially in men.

Show Notes

National Organizations

National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/

Drexel University Center for Weight, Eating, and Lifestyle Science (WELL Center) https://drexel.edu/coas/academics/departments-centers/well-center/

University of Pennsylvania Center for Weight and Eating Disorders (CWED) https://www.med.upenn.edu/weight/

American Psychological Association Society for the Psychological Study of Men and Masculinities (SPSMM, Division 51) https://www.apa.org/about/division/div51

Eating Disorder Hope, a nonprofit organization https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/

Project HEAL, a nonprofit organization https://www.theprojectheal.org/

National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) a nonprofit organization https://anad.org/

Eating Recovery Center, a for-profit treatment collaborative for EDs in 11 states https://www.eatingrecoverycenter.com/

Academy for Eating Disorders (AED) https://www.aedweb.org

Eating Disorders Research Society (EDRS) https://edrs.org

National Alliance for Eating Disorders: https://www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com/

References

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