Males facing weighty issue

BODY dissatisfaction in males is rapidly approaching the same levels as in females, the Butterfly Foundation warns, with new research showing boys are much more likely to suffer depression if they are battling obesity.

“Male body image is just as complex an issue as female body image, one that requires much more research as we begin to understand it,” the foundation’s national manager of prevention services, Danni Rowlands, said.

“We need to pay more attention to male body image and the struggles boys may face when coming to terms with their ‘imperfect’ bodies.

“Just as today’s society expects females to become thinner with statuesque features, boys, particularly in western cultures, feel pressure to pump up their bodies and slim down, creating a combination of lean, bulky muscle.”

A new study by Swedish scientists has found that boys with obesity are five times more likely to have depressive symptoms than boys in the normal weight range.

That connection evident in girls.

The most recent Butterfly data shows 40 per cent of males are not happy with their appearance, compared with 46 per cent of females.

The organisation also highlights that half of boys aged 14-16 were found to be using muscle building protein supplements.

“Boys are subjected to different cultural messages about appearance that can increase was not their vulnerability to eating disorders,” Ms Rowlands said.

“These include an idealised physical body shape that is lean and muscular and social norms that frame masculinity as about control and ‘taking charge’. These features can mean that body image concerns or eating disorders among boys are overlooked or misdiagnosed.”

The international research found that all young people struggling with their weight were at greater risk of bullying.

This is backed by a recent Australian study which revealed discrimination based on body size, shape or physical appearance was the most common type of discrimination, reported by one in five Australian teens at ages 14-15 and 16-17. It also indicated the prevalence of body discrimination was especially high among overweight or obese teens (43 per cent).

LOCHIE Hookway was so enthralled by the tragic story of kayaker Tony Dicker after he met the man’s family, he decided to film a short biopic about the Tasmanian adventurer.

The end result, a film called Row, is one of nine “Stories of Tasmania” screening online for free at the Breath of Fresh Air Film Festival.

The biopic follows Tony Dicker undertaking an around-the-world solo kayak voyage and how that influenced his relationship with his brother Mike.

Burnie-born Hookway said the family had access to “incredible unseen footage”.

“We filmed it on location in Tasmania, I’ve always been connected to the North-West Coast,” Mr Hookway said.

“I’m a passionate storyteller and it’s really special to share this as part of the BOFA festival.”

Tony Dicker was a Tasmanian adventurer who drowned in 1986 while trying to cross Bass Strait.

Along with the free online shorts, BOFA will come to Hobart from May 28-30 to show 20 films from 12 countries at Hobart Village Cinema.

Tickets, session times and online films via breath-offresh-air.com.au