To be Superman--the male looks obsession.
BACKGROUND
It is widely recognised that body image dissatisfaction is experienced by both men and women, and in extreme cases can lead to the onset of debilitating body image disorders such as body dysmorphic disorder and muscle dysmorphia, the latter predominantly occurring in men.


OBJECTIVE
This opinion piece provides a discussion specifically around the social factors influencing the increasing male looks obsession and highlights some recent local and international research in this area.


CONCLUSIONS
Implications for general practitioners and clinicians are discussed together with the need for further local research in this area to enhance our understanding of the implications of extreme body image dissatisfaction in men, its prevalence, manifestations and treatment outcomes.
Knoesen
Natalie
N
St Vincent's Mental Health and the Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Victoria. knoesen@svhm.org.au
Thai Vo
Son
S
Castle
David
D
D001828:Body Image; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009289:Narcissism; D010821:Physicians, Family; D012931:Social Environment; D013001:Somatoform Disorders