Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

A third of young British men want to change their appearance and the 'picture perfect culture' on social media is to blame: Survey

More than 40% of men in Britain want to build muscle and one in 10 wants steroids

A third of young British men want to change their appearance and the 'picture perfect culture' on social media is to blame: Survey

A survey conducted by health and fitness company, Origym comprises more than 2000 people in the UK confirms that social media negatively affects body image.

The survey claims to have found that unrealistic expectations about how you should look, encouraged by the “picture perfect culture” on social media is affecting the mental health of one in 10 men.


Psychologist Rob Willson from the Body Dysmorphic Foundation is reported to have said, "There's lots of pressure from social media to try to conform to certain stereotypes of an idealised beauty and particularly in men.

"This is a real challenge because we're a bit less used to it than women are, we're more recently exposed to these kinds of pressures and regretfully women have been exposed for a lot longer but also there's very little movement at the moment against pressure on men."

Based on a report that was carried in Sky News, 26-year-old George Mycock, from Staffordshire had developed a condition called muscle dysmorphia as a teenager, which leads people to think that they are less muscular than they really are.

According to George who runs MyoMinds to raise awareness regarding these issues, social media is the “devil” in these situations.

Speaking about the influence of social media on negative body image and the dangerous path it can lead you to, he is quoted as saying, "I think it does play a huge part - it's very easy to get engrossed in an echo chamber, you follow the people who agree with your extreme thoughts and they show you more extreme thoughts and it starts spiralling out of control."

He adds, "I got into the fitness industry, the fitness industry community, and I saw all the guys in that were big, muscular, covered in veins, six packs, that stuff, and I thought that's what I needed to adhere to.

"That pursuit came from there and that's when I took on disordered eating, exercise addiction, training 'x' amount of times, being incredibly restrictive how I ate. Eventually it led to suicidal behaviours, suicidal ideations, it led down this dark path."

It is estimated that there are 3,6 users of social media worldwide and it is now a large part of today’s culture. Speaking about how social media can sabotage your body image, the Insider had reported that consistently scrolling through posts, particularly images that evoke negative feelings or elevate a certain body type, can impact how you perceive yourself.

The report adds that because social media is filled with people who only present themselves in their best light - it becomes difficult to evade the posts and images that might make you see your body in a negative way.

The findings of the survey reveal that more than 40% of men in Britain want to build muscle and one in 10 wants steroids to build and transform their body.

In an earlier report, Dr John Skevofilax, chief of Surgery for Signature Clinic in the UK had warned that men are abusing steroids and this can lead to breast growth. As, a result he is reportedly performing hundreds of breast reduction surgeries on men.

He attributes this craze for steroids to shows like Love Island, which is a British dating game show. He is quoted as saying, "If you turn it on, every guy on there has a six pack, his chest is out to here, pecs and everything are blowing out of their shirts, so guys are seeing this and they want to emulate their heroes just like in the eighties when it was Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger."

More For You

Maya Henry says Liam Payne shared private images of her without consent

Maya Henry reflects on her past with Liam Payne, sharing untold truths about love, addiction, and heartbreak.

Getty Images

Maya Henry says Liam Payne shared private images of her without consent

Maya Henry has spoken out for the first time since the passing of her ex-fiancé, Liam Payne, revealing shocking details about their relationship. In an interview with Rolling Stone, the model accused the late singer of sharing private images of her without consent, a discovery she made after his death.

Liam, best known for his time in One Direction, died in October last year at the age of 31 after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina. At the time, he was in a relationship with Kate Cassidy, but he had previously been engaged to Maya, with whom he had an on-and-off relationship from 2018 to 2022.

Maya described their time together as deeply troubled, citing Liam’s struggles with substance abuse as a major factor in their breakup. She explained that while she cared for him, his addiction issues made their relationship difficult and often unsafe. “On drugs, he became someone I didn’t recognise,” she revealed, adding that she had tried to support him but eventually realised she could not change him.

Keep ReadingShow less
Anthony Mackie wants Shah Rukh Khan as the next Avenger: ‘He’s the best!’

Anthony Mackie names Shah Rukh Khan as his top pick for the next Avenger, sparking excitement among fans

Getty Images

Anthony Mackie wants Shah Rukh Khan as the next Avenger: ‘He’s the best!’

Hollywood star Anthony Mackie, who steps into the iconic role of Captain America in Marvel’s Captain America: Brave New World, has his sights set on Bollywood legend Shah Rukh Khan joining the Avengers. During a recent chat with influencer Kevin Zingkhai, Mackie didn’t hesitate when asked which Bollywood actor he’d pick for the superhero squad. “Shah Rukh Khan, no doubt. He’s the best!” Mackie declared, sparking excitement among fans of both Marvel and Bollywood.

Shah Rukh Khan’s global appeal has already found its way into the Marvel universe. A song from his film Swades was featured in Deadpool 2, and in 2018, Marvel executive Stephen Wacker stated that if the studio ever created Indian content, SRK would be a must-have. More recently, The Marvels director Nia DaCosta also praised Khan, calling him a “legend” and expressing her desire to work with him.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jasprit Bumrah

Bumrah, named the 2024 International Cricketer of the Year, has been sidelined since sustaining a lower back injury during the Sydney Test in January. (Photo: BCCI)

Bumrah ruled out of India's Champions Trophy squad, Harshit Rana named replacement

INDIA's Champions Trophy campaign suffered a setback as fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out of the tournament due to an ongoing injury.

Bumrah, named the 2024 International Cricketer of the Year, has been sidelined since sustaining a lower back injury during the Sydney Test in January. The injury also kept him out of the white-ball series against England.

Keep ReadingShow less
Chiranjeevi faces backlash over sexist comment about 'grandson and family legacy'

Chiranjeevi shares a moment with Ram Charan in a recent Instagram post

Instagram/alwaysramcharan

Chiranjeevi faces backlash over sexist comment about 'grandson and family legacy'

Megastar Chiranjeevi has found himself in hot water after making comments that many have labelled as sexist during a recent public appearance. Speaking at the pre-release event of Brahma Anandam, the actor expressed his desire for a grandson, sparking a wave of criticism online for what some called outdated and regressive views on gender.

Chiranjeevi joked that his home feels like a "ladies' hostel," with him playing the role of the warden, surrounded by granddaughters. He revealed that he often urges his son, actor Ram Charan, to have a boy to carry on the family legacy. "I keep telling Charan, at least this time, have a boy so our legacy continues," he said, adding, "I’m scared he might have another girl." Ram Charan and his wife, Upasana, welcomed their daughter, Klin Kaara, in June 2023.


The actor’s remarks didn’t sit well with many, who took to social media to call out the underlying gender bias. One user pointed out that such comments reflect a persistent societal mindset that prioritises male heirs over female children. "It’s disappointing to see someone of his stature perpetuate these outdated ideas," the user wrote. Another criticised Chiranjeevi for not using his influence to challenge stereotypes, saying, "Every child, regardless of gender, is a blessing and can carry forward a legacy."

Keep ReadingShow less
BP-Reuters

Fourth-quarter profit dropped 61 per cent compared to the previous year, marking BP’s weakest results since Q4 2020, when the pandemic reduced global oil demand. (Photo: Reuters)

BP reports lowest quarterly profit in four years, plans strategy reset

BP reported a quarterly profit of £943 million on Tuesday, falling short of expectations and marking its lowest in four years.

The company said it plans a "fundamental reset" of its strategy, days after reports that Elliott Management had taken a stake in the oil major.

Keep ReadingShow less