Prevalence of muscle dysmorphia symptomatology and related factors in male university students / Prevalencia de sintomatología de dismorfia muscular y factores asociados en estudiantes universitarios varones

Abstract Muscle dysmorphia is an obsessive-compulsive disorder subcategorized as a body dysmorphic disorder. Studies in Latin America have assessed the prevalence of muscle dysmorphia in bodybuilders and gym users. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of muscle dysmorphia symptomatology (MDS) and associated factors in university male students in Lima, Peru. The participants (N = 618) had an average age of 21.0 years (DS = 2.3). We assessed MDS through the Muscular Appearance Satisfaction Scale (MASS) and obsessive-compulsive disorders through the Yale-Brown Scale Modified for Body Dysmorphic Disorders (BDD-YBOCS). We also tested participants on their food consumption and physical activity (PA) frequency. The prevalence of MDS was 1.3% (IC 95% = 0.4-2.2%) . associated with factors such as intense PA defined as more than five hours per week (PRa = 9.5; 95% CI = 1.1-84.4) and a hyperproteic diet (PRa = 1.3; 95% CI = 1.1-1.6). Thirty-two percent of participants consumed protein supplements. Muscle dysmorphia is a disorder present in the general population. However, more research must be done to understand how this is an emerging problem in Latin America. Therefore, to influence its prevention and early identification among the university population, it is necessary to deepen the understanding. Resumen La dismorfia muscular es un trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo subcategorizado recientemente como un trastorno dismorfico corporal. En Latinoamerica se ha estimado la prevalencia de sintomatologia de dismorfia muscular (SDM), pero principalmente en usuarios de gimnasio o fisicoculturistas. Por tanto, el proposito de este estudio fue evaluar la prevalencia de SDM y factores asociados entre estudiantes universitarios de Lima, Peru. Participaron 618 varones con edad promedio de 21.0 anos (DE = 2.3), quienes completaron la Escala de Satisfaccion con la Apariencia Muscular (MASS) y la Escala Obsesiva-Compulsiva de Yale-Brown Modificada para Trastorno Dismorfico Corporal (BDD-YBOCS), y ademas fueron evaluados en cuanto a su consumo de alimentos y realizacion de actividad fisica. La prevalencia de SDM fue 1.3% (IC 95% = 0.4-2.2%), asociada a la realizacion de actividad fisica intensa (PRa = 9.5; IC 95% = 1.1-84.4) y al seguimiento de una dieta hiperproteica (PRa = 1.3; IC 95% = 1.1-1.6). Adicionalmente, 32% de los participantes indico consumir suplementos proteicos. La DM es un trastorno emergente en Latinoamerica, por lo que es aun incipiente el conocimiento que se tiene sobre el. Por tanto, para poder incidir en su prevencion e identificacion temprana entre poblacion universitaria, es necesario profundizar en su comprension.