As part of Mental Health Awareness Week and centring on the theme of body image.
One set of mental disorders receiving increased research attention are those connected to body image and disordered eating. Historically, body image-related ill-health was identified as an exclusively female concern. Over the last 40 years, however, researchers have realised that men are also affected and that the body ideal for men has become progressively more muscular.
Dr Christian Edwards is Senior Lecturer in Sports Coaching Science at the University of Worcester. In this talk, drawing on his research with male athletes, Dr Edwards will discuss the health and well-being consequences associated with striving for the perfect body. To conclude, Dr Edwards will highlight how his research may apply more broadly to understanding mental disorders in men.