Drive for muscularity and tendencies of muscle dysmorphia among Pakistani bodybuilders: A prevalence study.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between drive for muscularity and muscle dysmorphic tendencies in Pakistani bodybuilders. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted in Lahore, Pakistan, from June to September 2017, and comprised male bodybuilders in their early and middle adulthood. Data was collected using an indigenous Drive for Muscularity Inventory and the Body Dysmorphic Disorder factors of the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale. Data was analysed using SPSS 21. RESULTS: There were 211 subjects with a mean age of 26.25±5.946 years. There was a positive relationship between drive for muscularity and tendencies of muscle dysmorphia (p<0.05). Of the total, 130(62%) bodybuilders had a moderate level of drive for muscularity. Unmarried bodybuilders aged 18-25 years had more drive for muscularity compared to married bodybuilders age 26 years and above (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The drive for muscularity and muscle dysmorphic tendencies were found prevalent in Pakistani culture.