Adonis Complex: Affecting a Boy's Bodily Self - Image

There is a growing epidemic, in the United States, that involves young boys and the development of eating disorders. As a parent of a son who is involved in sports or athletic programs, it is important to recognize the risk of a developing eating disorder, in your son, early.

One such growing epidemic is a complication in boys known as "Adonis Complex". In general terms, this complication involves the mental disorder in which a male child, physically healthy and well built, will perceive his body image as not large or physically fit enough. In response to the development of Adonis complex, your son may exercise excessively, follow dietary programs in extreme and even utilize dietary supplements. What transpires is the abnormal muscle development known as muscle dysmorphia. It is from muscle dysmorphia that Adonis complex got its name.

As a parent, it is important to know the warning signs of muscle dysmorphia, Adonis complex, in your son. If you notice an increased interest in fitness magazines, protein supplements, body building envy and even a sudden change in eating habits, your son may be well on his way to developing Adonis complex.

Without proper intervention, your son who develops Adonis complex, will suffer great health complications. Beyond the mental health complications, your son may experience complications from abnormal muscle development and kidney complications. This is especially common in boys who use protein supplements out of recommended direction.

In terms of a dietary supplement that many boys will abuse, creatine poses a great health risk. While creatine may be beneficial, in proper dosing, to assisting a young boy in becoming more physically fit, the long term and abusive use has not been studied and may lead to greater health complications. In addition to creatine, many boys will also be tempted to utilized ephedrine, a type of amphetamine. If your son is interested in using amphetamine, this should be highly discouraged as the long term effect will impact your son's cardiovascular system and may even lead to death.

Steroid use and hormones are also quite common in boys who suffer from Adonis complex. With long term use, many boys will become men with complications associated with testosterone levels. Again, your son should be monitored to ensure use of these products is also not complicating his life.

As with any challenge in your son's life, the key to his successful goal of physical fitness will lie in the ability to manage and direct his course of action. Because many boys develop the mental process involved with Adonis complex, the risk of muscle dysmorphia is usually the first complication to arise. As a parent, it is important to pay close attention to the use of protein supplements, creatine, ephedrine and even the overly aggressive approach to fitness and obsession with fitness magazines.