A new study has reportedly revealed a disturbing link between pornography and a serious health condition in men who use it.
Men who view ‘problematic’ pornography are more likely to develop an eating disorder, according to research published in the journal Body Image and reported by New York Post.
Researchers from the University of Haifa and Max Stern Yezreel Valley College in Israel conducted the study, which was promulgated in early June.
705 men, aged 18 to 68 – with an average age of 32 – took part in the study.
About 68% of participants were heterosexual; the others said they belonged to a minority sexual group.
In addition to answering questions related to their pornography consumption and eating habits, they explained their perception of realistic pornography and whether they suffered from anxiety or depression.
The men involved also answered questions about behaviors specific to eating disorders – where they compared their bodies to those presented in the porn scenes.
Statements like “I feel like porn is an important part of my life” and “I get stressed when something stops me from watching porn” came up often.
Surprising results
The results showed that, regardless of their sexuality, men who consume a lot of pornography are more likely to compare their bodies to those seen in pornographic films and to have negative perceptions of their own bodies.
The study thus proved that the higher the consumption of pornography, the more behaviors associated with eating disorders, such as restricting, binge eating and purging.
The researchers also indicated that problematic pornography use, in addition to behaviors related to eating disorders, can negatively impact various aspects of an individual’s functioning and well-being.
These include problems with sexual functioning, hypersexuality and general mental health.
“To reduce the risk of developing or worsening eating disorder symptoms, clinicians working with clients should assess for problematic pornography use and body image concerns during therapy. wrote the study authors.
“Pornography use and disordered eating are behaviors that can serve as defense mechanisms to suppress emotional pain, and they involve some level of shame and stigma.”