Muscle Dysmorphia and the Use of Nutritional Ergogenic Supplements Among Amateur Male Bodybuilders: A Cross‐Sectional Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the levels of muscle appearance satisfaction and ergogenic aid use among adult male amateur bodybuilders. METHODS: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, a questionnaire containing demographic information, the "Nutrition Ergogenic Supplement Attitude Measurement (NESAM)" for ergogenic aid use, and the "Muscle Appearance Satisfaction Scale (MASS)", and anthropometric measurements were taken using a BIA analysis device (Tanita DC360). Data were analyzed using the SPSS v27 software package (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). RESULTS: , while the mean body fat percentage was 14.60 ± 5.61%. While 54.8% of participants used ergogenic supplements, the majority (72.9%) did so on their own initiative. According to NESAM results, the highest average score was observed in the "Benefit" subscale, the total MASS score showed positive correlations with benefit (r = 0.207, p < 0.05), natural nutrition (r = 0.231, p < 0.05), and total NESAM scores (r = 0.196, p < 0.05). In multiple linear regression analysis, the NESAM total score remained an independent predictor of the MASS total score (β = 0.312, p = 0.002). Additionally, while BMI was negatively associated with muscle dissatisfaction (r = -0.213, p < 0.05), upper arm circumference was positively correlated with bodybuilding dependence (r = 0.323, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Among male bodybuilders, attitudes toward ergogenic supplements were independently associated with muscle appearance satisfaction.