Muscle dysmorphia or 'bigorexia' explained

MUSCLE DYSMORPHIA, OR `BIGOREXIA', EXPLAINED.

WHAT IS IT?

* Muscle dysmorphia is a disorder that causes a person to constantly obsess or worry about being too small, underdeveloped, and/or underweight - they obsess about having the perfect physique and believe their muscles are inadequate.

* It is currently classed as a form of body dysmorphic disorder and is related to obsessive compulsive disorder.

* Best way to think of it is reverse anorexia.

WHO'S AT RISK

* Can affect men and women

* Men aged 16 to 35 are most susceptible

* It is estimated approximately 10 per cent of men who are obsessive gym-goers have this disorder

WARNING SIGNS

* Distorted self-image - people with the disorder think they are very small when they're not

* Missing social events, skipping work and cancelling plans in order to work out

* Working out despite injury

* Maintaining a strict, high-protein and low-fat diet

* Obsessive calorie counting

* Using excessive amounts of food supplements

* Steroid abuse, unnecessary plastic surgery

(Source: Alliance For Eating Disorders, Dr Scott Griffiths)