Superheroes in the 90's were not large, bulky or muscular. They were just like every other character that plays the role of a hero that fights evil and rescue people in times of danger. However, things have changed since then and new changes have been made to the character of superheroes. Modern superheroes like Batman, Superman, and the Incredible Hulk have now become larger and muscular. Superheroes often play a significant role in the desire of obese college males to be muscular. The muscular images of superheroes motivates overweight college men to want to be like them and are willing to go on rigorous exercises or dieting pills just to attain this result. The media is also contributing in portraying muscularity as "good" and "lovely". TV shows like Baywatch, Jersey Shore, and Desperate Housewives that portray muscular men are fast rising in the entertainment world. Actors like Jim Carey who starred in the movie "the mask" and Johnny Depp who starred in the movie " Pirates of the Caribbean" are not muscular and they still they command respect in the entertainment industry. Researchers have found out that continual pressure from the media was associated with low self- esteem, psychological problems resulting to a negative body image. Exposure to muscular bodies contributes to overweight men's problem about how their body weight is viewed. Only a look at Sylvester Stallone's body could be enough to spark a change in the definition of muscularity among overweight men. Recent studies have evolved with the suggestion that men diagnosed with eating disorders are reacting to what the mass media messages have fed them with.
Watkins .J, Christie C., & Chally P., (2008) found out that college men struggle with the dissatisfaction of their body image and weight. This article indicates that concerns of body image dissatisfaction among obese college men, they begin to indulge in excessive exercises, use of dieting pills and steroids and therefore experience symptoms of depression.
