Abstract

Background: Muscle Dysmorphia (MDM) is characterized by an obsession with lean body composition, leading to giving up social and work activities to achieve a muscular body. In Chile, studies are limited regarding the factors associated with this condition. Objective: To determine the symptomatology of MDM and related factors in young adults in Temuco, Chile. Methods: An exploratory cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 101 adults between 20 and 30 years of age, to whom the ACQ, DASS21, and SATAQ4 instruments were applied. Results: Most of the volunteers assessed were female (57%), aged 20-25 years (89%), and physically sedentary (52%). Symptomatology of muscle dysmorphia was reported in 45.5% of the subjects, depression in 45%, anxiety in 35%, and stress in one-third of those evaluated. The only variables associated with symptomatology of MDM were active physical activity (p=.001 ) and anxiety (p=.013). Conclusions: Symptomatology of MDM was found in the young adult population of the city of Temuco, which is concretely related to sociocultural influence on the body, levels of physical activity and anxious symptomatology.