Teens Worried about Muscle Size

B1 – Intermediate 

In recent times, we have seen a revolution in people’s interest in physical health. More and more people exercise and go to the gym, including teenagers and young people in their early 20s.

However, an increasing number of youths are suffering from a psychological disorder called muscle dysmorphia or bigorexia. 

Read the article about the rise in the number of young people suffering from bigorexia and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2502/250224-bigorexia-muscle-dysmorphia.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “self-image” mean? “Bigorexia is a psychological condition…which involves a distorted self-image that focuses specifically on muscle size and physical appearance.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘self-image’ in your own sentence.
  2. What does “exacerbate” mean? “Social media may be a factor in exacerbating the problem.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘exacerbate’ in your own sentence.
  3. What does “overwhelm” mean? “Youngsters can be overwhelmed with images of people with the “perfect” body.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ’overwhelm’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Is the same happening to young people in your country? Talk about it in detail.
  2. What might be the factors that contribute to the rise of youths getting anxious about their muscles?
  3. Should there be stricter regulations on muscle-building supplements and anabolic steroids? Share your insights.
  4. How can cases of bigorexia be reduced?
  5. What other disorders could youngsters suffer from and what do you think leads to these conditions?
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4 replies on “Teens Worried about Muscle Size”

Vocabulary Questions:

1. Self-image means the own perception that we have about us. Synonyms: self-concept, self-perception.
2. Exacerbate means to make a bad situation worse. Synonyms: intensify, aggravate.
3. Overwhelm means to feel saturated. Synonyms: overcome, overpower.

Discussion Questions:

1. I think that is not happening in Spain because young people do not only go to the gym to increase their muscles, but also to feel good.

2. The rise of youths getting anxious about their muscles might be due to in this era there aren’t many works that require use the force. So, young people want to exercise their muscles.

3. I think there should be regulations focused primarly on under-age people.

4. Cases of bigorexia could be reduced by telling people that muscles are not the only thing that matters.

5. I think young people who suffer from vigorexia could have other disorders such as a lack of believe in themselves.

Welcome to Phoneenglish! It is great that you have decided to start with your writing practice.

Here is a sentence that can be improved:

I think that is not happening in Spain because young people do not only go to the gym to increase their muscles, but also to feel good.

I think that this is not happening in Spain because young people do not only go to the gym to build/grow their muscles, but to also feel good.

May you continue doing this exercise from now on. Enjoy writing!

1. Is the same happening to young people in your country? Talk about it in detail.
This problem is not very common in Spain, but in recent years it has increased by 1% to 10%, especially among young people and men who obsessively seek to develop a muscular body.
2.What might be the factors that contribute to the rise of youths getting anxious about their muscles?.
Factors contributing to the rise in anxiety among young people include the influence on their body perception and emotional well-being. For example, lack of knowledge about risks, low self-esteem, constant comparison, the influence of social media and image culture.
3.Should there be stricter regulations on muscle-building supplements and anabolic steroids? Share your insights.
Of course, I think they should be totally banned because they are very dangerous for health. And if someone needs to take them, they would have to be prescribed by a doctor like medicines.
4.How can cases of bigorexia be reduced?.
To reduce cases of vigorexia, I believe that it is a task of education, awareness and psychological support, of the whole society, and the elimination of the cult of beauty ideals imposed by companies whose only objective is to make money.
5.What other disorders could youngsters suffer from and what do you think leads to these conditions?.
Young people may suffer from various disorders, both psychological and physical, influenced by social, cultural and biological factors, such as anorexia and bulimia.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts about this topic.

Here is how you can write this sentence better:

To reduce cases of vigorexia, I believe that it is a task of education, awareness and psychological support, of the whole society, and the elimination of the cult of beauty ideals imposed by companies whose only objective is to make money.

To reduce cases of bigorexia, I believe that it is a task matter of education, awareness, and psychological support, of the whole society, and the elimination of the cult of beauty ideals imposed by companies whose only objective is to make money.

Until your next post!

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