Body dissatisfaction, muscle dysmorphia and attitudes towards doping in exercise practitioners: a study regarding gender, educational level and age group

Body dissatisfaction (BD) is a conception constructed from influences since childhood, with the practice of exercise being an alternative to obtain the ideal body. Muscle dysmorphia (MD) is characterized as an exaggerated visualization of body imperfections and can lead to the search for substances...

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Main Authors: Nathan Leonardo Gomes Costa, Mariana Rílary Silvestre Sousa, Gabriel Lucas de Morais Freire, Daniel Vicentini de Oliveira, Yara Lucy Fidelix, José Fernando Vila Nova de Moraes, José Roberto Andrade do Nascimento Junior
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universidade Estadual de Maringá 2025-04-01
Series:Acta Scientiarum. Health Sciences
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Online Access:https://periodicos.uem.br/ojs/index.php/ActaSciHealthSci/article/view/68169
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author Nathan Leonardo Gomes Costa
Mariana Rílary Silvestre Sousa
Gabriel Lucas de Morais Freire
Daniel Vicentini de Oliveira
Yara Lucy Fidelix
José Fernando Vila Nova de Moraes
José Roberto Andrade do Nascimento Junior
author_facet Nathan Leonardo Gomes Costa
Mariana Rílary Silvestre Sousa
Gabriel Lucas de Morais Freire
Daniel Vicentini de Oliveira
Yara Lucy Fidelix
José Fernando Vila Nova de Moraes
José Roberto Andrade do Nascimento Junior
author_sort Nathan Leonardo Gomes Costa
collection DOAJ
description Body dissatisfaction (BD) is a conception constructed from influences since childhood, with the practice of exercise being an alternative to obtain the ideal body. Muscle dysmorphia (MD) is characterized as an exaggerated visualization of body imperfections and can lead to the search for substances such as anabolic steroids (AAS). Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare body image (BI), MD and attitudes towards doping according to gender, educational level and age group of exercise practitioners at gyms. A total of 264 individuals (92 men and 172 women), with a mean age of 27.43 years (SD = 7.03), participated in the study. The instruments used were the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ), the Questionnaire of Attitudes towards Doping in Fitness (QAD-fit) and the Adonis Complex questionnaire (ACQ). Data analysis was conducted using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov, independent Student’s t-tests and MANOVA (p<0.05). The results showed a higher BD among women, and more behaviors towards doping in the males (p<0.05). A positive relationship was found between attitudes towards doping in individuals who had completed high school. Also, higher scores for attitudes and beliefs towards doping in the age group of 31-40 years was found. It is concluded that sociodemographic factors such as gender, age group and educational level maybe involved in BD, MD and in behaviors towards doping in people who practice exercise at gyms.
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spelling doaj-art-b92fdbcb621f4e458a8b5e1281d63a152025-08-20T02:27:43ZengUniversidade Estadual de MaringáActa Scientiarum. Health Sciences1679-92911807-86482025-04-0147110.4025/actascihealthsci.v47i1.68169Body dissatisfaction, muscle dysmorphia and attitudes towards doping in exercise practitioners: a study regarding gender, educational level and age groupNathan Leonardo Gomes Costa0Mariana Rílary Silvestre Sousa1Gabriel Lucas de Morais Freire2Daniel Vicentini de Oliveira3Yara Lucy Fidelix4José Fernando Vila Nova de Moraes5José Roberto Andrade do Nascimento Junior6Universidade Federal do Vale do São FranciscoUniversidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco Universidade Estadual de MaringáUnicesumarUniversidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco Body dissatisfaction (BD) is a conception constructed from influences since childhood, with the practice of exercise being an alternative to obtain the ideal body. Muscle dysmorphia (MD) is characterized as an exaggerated visualization of body imperfections and can lead to the search for substances such as anabolic steroids (AAS). Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare body image (BI), MD and attitudes towards doping according to gender, educational level and age group of exercise practitioners at gyms. A total of 264 individuals (92 men and 172 women), with a mean age of 27.43 years (SD = 7.03), participated in the study. The instruments used were the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ), the Questionnaire of Attitudes towards Doping in Fitness (QAD-fit) and the Adonis Complex questionnaire (ACQ). Data analysis was conducted using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov, independent Student’s t-tests and MANOVA (p<0.05). The results showed a higher BD among women, and more behaviors towards doping in the males (p<0.05). A positive relationship was found between attitudes towards doping in individuals who had completed high school. Also, higher scores for attitudes and beliefs towards doping in the age group of 31-40 years was found. It is concluded that sociodemographic factors such as gender, age group and educational level maybe involved in BD, MD and in behaviors towards doping in people who practice exercise at gyms. https://periodicos.uem.br/ojs/index.php/ActaSciHealthSci/article/view/68169Doping in sports; fitness centers; body image.
spellingShingle Nathan Leonardo Gomes Costa
Mariana Rílary Silvestre Sousa
Gabriel Lucas de Morais Freire
Daniel Vicentini de Oliveira
Yara Lucy Fidelix
José Fernando Vila Nova de Moraes
José Roberto Andrade do Nascimento Junior
Body dissatisfaction, muscle dysmorphia and attitudes towards doping in exercise practitioners: a study regarding gender, educational level and age group
Acta Scientiarum. Health Sciences
Doping in sports; fitness centers; body image.
title Body dissatisfaction, muscle dysmorphia and attitudes towards doping in exercise practitioners: a study regarding gender, educational level and age group
title_full Body dissatisfaction, muscle dysmorphia and attitudes towards doping in exercise practitioners: a study regarding gender, educational level and age group
title_fullStr Body dissatisfaction, muscle dysmorphia and attitudes towards doping in exercise practitioners: a study regarding gender, educational level and age group
title_full_unstemmed Body dissatisfaction, muscle dysmorphia and attitudes towards doping in exercise practitioners: a study regarding gender, educational level and age group
title_short Body dissatisfaction, muscle dysmorphia and attitudes towards doping in exercise practitioners: a study regarding gender, educational level and age group
title_sort body dissatisfaction muscle dysmorphia and attitudes towards doping in exercise practitioners a study regarding gender educational level and age group
topic Doping in sports; fitness centers; body image.
url https://periodicos.uem.br/ojs/index.php/ActaSciHealthSci/article/view/68169
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