No one asked what he was taking. No one asked why he stood sideways in the bathroom mirror every morning, pulling up his shirt and frowning. And no one noticed that his heart rate was lower than it should have been for a boy his age.

Dalton is a composite, drawn from the stories of many families. But what happened to him, and what didn’t happen, is real. It’s happening in homes across the country.

It Was Never Only a Girls’ Problem

For decades, when we talked about body image, eating disorders, and the harm done by images in the media, we talked about girls. Girls were the ones being told to be thinner, and girls were the ones being admitted to hospitals. Parents, physicians, and schools learned to watch girls for trouble.

Boys were left out of that conversation, and they’re still being hurt by it.

In Ontario, Canada, researchers studied more than 11,600 hospital stays for eating disorders in children and teens between 2002 and 2019. For boys, hospital stays rose by more than 400%. For every boy sick enough to need a hospital bed, many more are struggling where no one sees it.

Part of the reason is the way we look for trouble. In 2020, researchers who reviewed what’s known about eating disorders in boys and young men found that the screening tools physicians use were mostly designed with girls in mind. They ask about wanting to be thinner, not about wanting to be bigger. A boy with a serious problem can answer every question the “right” way and never be flagged. The same review found that treatment programs were also built mostly for girls, and boys may do worse in them as a result.

That’s the main problem. Boys’ body worries usually center on muscle, not thinness. So a boy in real danger can look like a boy in great shape.

What Boys Learn, and What They Buy

Boys learn early what kind of body earns respect. They see it in superhero movies, in older boys at school, and in grown men joking about getting “shredded.” They learn that this body is what they should work toward, even if it costs them their health. And now they see that message on their phones every day.

In 2025, Common Sense Media surveyed more than 1,000 boys ages 11 to 17 across the United States. Nine out of ten said they see messages about body image online. About two out of three of the boys who saw content about how men should look and act said it showed up in their feeds without them searching for it. About 1 in 4 said social media makes them feel they should change how they look.

Boys don’t just watch. They act. A University of Minnesota study of nearly 2,800 middle and high school students found that more than 90% of the boys had exercised more in the past year to build muscle. More than one-third had used protein powders or shakes, and nearly 6% said they had used steroids. These were ordinary kids, not top athletes.

The influencers boys follow often make money from what they promote. Many earn a share of every protein powder or fat burner sold with their discount codes. Some push far more dangerous products. In 2023, the Center for Countering Digital Hate found that TikTok videos promoting steroids and similar drugs under certain hashtags had been viewed up to 587 million times in the United States over three years. The group also found 35 influencers on the app linking to websites that sold these drugs.

The harm is real. Researchers at the University of Toronto found that more than 1 in 4 boys and young men in a national Canadian sample had symptoms of muscle dysmorphia strong enough to be of real concern. Muscle dysmorphia is a condition in which a young man believes he’s small and weak, even when he isn’t. Most boys who have it have never heard its name.

The products carry their own risks. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine estimated that supplements send about 23,000 people in the United States to the emergency room each year, with weight-loss and energy products among the most common causes.

Why Parents and Physicians Miss the Signs

When a boy is in trouble with his body, his trouble often looks like success. A boy who works out every day seems disciplined. A boy who eats “clean” seems healthy. A boy who drinks protein shakes seems like every other kid on the team. Adults praise these habits. And boys are taught not to talk about their feelings, so a boy who feels ashamed keeps it to himself.

Physicians aren’t always asking, either. In 2025, a survey of more than 800 Canadian pediatric specialists found that 17% had seen at least one young patient in the past year who needed medical care because of a performance-enhancing supplement or drug.8 Most of those patients were boys, and almost a third were only 10 to 12 years old. Yet more than half of the physicians surveyed said they never asked their young patients about these products.

The stakes are high. In the United States, men die by suicide at about four times the rate of women. Boys and men are less likely than girls and women to ask for help.

So what can we do? Parents can learn the signs. Watch for a boy who panics when he misses a workout, trains through injuries, follows strict food rules, spends long periods checking his body in the mirror, skips family meals, or has powders and pills you don’t recognize. Talk with him about health and strength, not size. Ask what he’s watching and whom he trusts online. And make a simple family rule: before he takes anything meant to change his body, he talks to you, and ideally to his physician, first.

Physicians need training to look for danger in boys, not just girls. At every checkup, they can ask boys two simple questions: “What are you doing to change your body?” and “Are you taking anything to build muscle or lose fat?” They can compare heart rate, growth, and weight with earlier visits. And they can take a parent’s worry seriously, even when the boy in the exam room looks strong.

If you’re worried about a boy and feel brushed aside, it’s okay to ask for a second opinion or a referral to a specialist in adolescent medicine or eating disorders. If a boy you love is struggling or talks about hurting himself, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Boys aren’t less at risk than girls. They’ve simply been overlooked. It’s time we changed that.

I’ve written much more about this in my new book, “Built to Be Seen: How Influencers and Supplement Sellers Endanger Boys and Young Men.” It’s a short read, a 74-page paperback to be published shortly on Amazon, written in plain language for parents, coaches, teachers, and young men themselves. It explains how social media finds boys, what’s really in the supplement aisle, the dangers of steroids and online testosterone clinics, and the warning signs to watch for.

The post Boys Are Risking Their Health to Look Like Influencers, and Almost No One Is Checking appeared first on Medika Life.

What’s more, exercise is just not for your muscles and your strength. I’ve written on why muscles are involved in mood and you can go to this article to refresh your memory or read it if you haven’t already.

What recent research benefits those over 70? Undoubtedly, we have a great deal more in terms of input in our muscle maintenance than anyone thought when they considered people over 70. The newest research refutes that myth, providing new insights and amazing changes for this group.

But there are specific periods in our lives when certain changes will begin, and with each phase, there will be almost undiscernible changes. However, there are indications that those above 70, who are at greatest risk for instability, balance, problems, muscle weakness, and even bone fractures, require our attention. Previously, adequate work was not directed at the potential maintenance and retrieval of muscle strength in this group, and that is where new, exciting research is coming to the fore.

What Are the Groups?

Sarcopenia is the medical term for muscle loss, and it is a normal aging process that affects all humans, although the rate of onset and the severity of the condition is different among individuals. This slowdown in muscle mass, strength, and function has implications for the quality of life and dependence of the elderly. Muscle loss occurs at different ages and we need to pay attention to enable people to prevent or at least remediate this to some extent.

20s-30s Age Group

In the young adulthood (20s to 30s) age group, muscle mass is at its peak. This age group is likely to have the best muscle strength and function as most people. The body is well equipped to build up and preserve muscle tissue as long as the muscle is used and fed properly. However, even at this young stage, people with sedentary jobs may already experience some muscle atrophy that does not manifest itself clinically. It sets the stage for future deterioration, so appropriate physical activity and diet during these years are a sound investment into future muscle health.

40s Group

Beginning in the 40s, the person begins to show some changes as mentioned above. The literature reviews indicate that muscle mass starts to decline at about 0.5–1% every year after age 30 and the rate increases a little in the 40s. It is also the time when strength reduction is first noticed especially in muscle fibers which control power and speed.

The quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles may start to weaken, especially in people with low levels of physical activity. Most people in this age bracket feel the fatigue and reduced physical endurance when engaging in physical activities.

50s Group

More specific features of muscle atrophy can be observed in the 50s. The rate of loss is higher, currently ranging between 1–2% every year. At this time, the hormonal changes worsen the muscle regeneration. To women menopause reduces the level of estrogen that accelerates muscle loss. Men also have low levels of testosterone that also worsen the muscle tissue.

The abdominal muscles and the lower back muscles, which are the stabilizers, also weaken a lot. Upper body strength, especially in the chest, shoulders, and arms, decreases at a higher rate than before.

60 Group

In the 60s, the loss of muscle is higher and the following rates are observed: 2–3% per year. The consequences of the changes are seen in the everyday life and the person needs help in performing certain actions. The muscles of the lower limb that include the quadriceps, hamstrings and gluteal muscles also weaken greatly.

Many people in this age group will report having problems with stairs, getting up from a chair, or walking for long distances. The hand grip strength is reduced which in turn affects the fine motor skills and the ability to handle objects. The sense of balance is also affected because muscle weakness and neurological changes in proprioception occur.

Over 70 Group

Muscle loss is at its highest in adults over 70, with annual losses of 3–5% if no schedule for slowing or reversing this loss is introduced. This accelerated decline has a major effect on the quality of life and independence. This age group has distinct muscle weakness with well-defined patterns of muscle involvement that have important functional implications

The quadriceps, hamstrings and gluteal muscles are the extremity muscles that are affected in a greater degree. This weakness is manifested as:

1. Difficulty in rising from sitting position
2. Slow walking
3. High chances of falling,
4. Difficulty in climbing stairs. The ankles are also liable to weaken, and this causes the client to have difficulty with walking and increased chances of falling.

Strengthen these muscle groups by including functional exercises that may involve using body weight, resistance bands, or light weights. Of course, any exercise routine in any age group should always be planned with a certified trainer or someone in a rehabilitation facility specifically to address these needs.

Some of the exercises that can be of great help include; standing from a chair, slow walks, sitting leg raises, and ankle exercises to build strength. Exercises in water are an excellent way to work on these muscles with minimum impact on the joints.

Balance is trained very effectively by standing exercises that reduce the base of support step by step. The tandem stance is particularly effective — this is when one stands with one foot in front of the other, heel to toe, to begin with, leaning on a sturdy chair or counter. In the event that stability improves, the support can be reduced to fingertip touch, then to no support at all.

The single leg stance is another basic exercise; start by holding a chair and lift one foot slightly off the floor for 10–15 seconds and then switch to the other side. This exercise directly strengthens the stabilizing muscles around the hips and ankles that are crucial for the prevention of falls.

Weight shifting exercises are used to develop the dynamic balance. The weight shift is to stand with feet hip width apart and then slowly shift weight from one foot to the other without moving the feet. Clock reaches expand on this by visualizing standing at the centre of a clock face and reaching one foot towards different ‘hours’ whilst remaining balanced. These movements enhance proprioception, which is the sense of where the different parts of the body are in space, and this sense is often reduced as one gets older.

The good news is that even though you have lost muscle strength, there is still the ability to help your muscles, pull back some of that strength and renew your ability to move and continue an active lifestyle. As has been noted by several of the articles, water exercises seems to be one of the best, especially for anyone with arthritic conditions. And, don’t forget that exercise is intimately associated with mood.

The post Strength Beyond Years: How Exercise Redefines Aging appeared first on Medika Life.

The Urology department pilot study sought to analyze penile tissue of men who recovered from symptomatic COVID-19 infection and developed erectile dysfunction (ED) after the infection.

The small study evaluated penile tissue collected from four men scheduled for penile prosthesis surgery due to erectile dysfunction. Two men had a history of Covid-19 infection, and the other two men had no history of illness.

Covid-19 is known to cause widespread damage to blood vessels throughout the body. SARS-CoV-2 causes damage to the cell layer lining blood vessels called endothelial cells. Endothelial cells contain two components that SARS-CoV-2 needs to infect cells. The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein binds to specialized receptors called ACE-2 and enters cells containing an enzyme called TMPRSS-2. Blood vessels have a high number of both ACE-2 receptors and TMPRSS-2.

The Miami research team hypothesized that endothelial damage in penile tissue could be the cause of post-Covid-19 erectile dysfunction.

The researchers evaluated penile tissue collected from four men scheduled for penile prosthesis surgery to test the theory due to erectile dysfunction. Two of the men had a history of Covid-19 infection. One had a severe disease requiring hospitalization. One had a mild case. These two cases were compared to a control group of two men who had no history of infection.

The paper is titled, “COVID-19 Endothelial Dysfunction Can Cause Erectile Dysfunction: Histopathological, Immunohistochemical, and Ultrastructural Study of the Human Penis.“

Urologists took biopsies from an area of the penis called the corpus cavernosum. A variety of tests were performed to evaluate cellular changes in the tissue. Damage to the penile vascular from Covid-19 could explain new onset erectile dysfunction after infection.

The scientists used three techniques to test for the effects of Covid-19. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Immunohistochemistry staining (eNOS), and viral PCR testing.

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed the presence of viral particles in men with a history of Covid-19 infection.

Immunohistochemical staining showed dramatic changes in the penile tissue of men with a history of Covid-19.

The scientists were unable to detect SARS-CoV-2 through PCR testing. The study authors propose the lack of detection is due to a low viral load in the penis.

The sample size of this pilot study is quite small. The results are not meant to provide a definitive scientific answer regarding the effects of Covid-19 on male sexual function. This small pilot study is the first paper to demonstrate penile damage on a cellular level. Further research will be needed.

This paper may also help some men overcome vaccine hesitancy. A study in the American Journal of Men’s Health showed men are less likely to seek help for any medical condition. Data analysis by Kaiser Health showed a gender gap with Covid-19 vaccination. More women are getting vaccinated than men. A CNN poll found 57 percent of Republican men did not plan to get vaccinated against Covid-19.

This paper from The University Of Miami helps men understand the importance of preventing getting infected from Covid-19.

There are three FDA-approved vaccines for Covid-19. The two messenger RNA vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer offer 95% protection against Covid-19. The Covid-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna use messenger RNA (mRNA). A single strand of mRNA delivers instructions to human cells to produce an antibody against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.

The Johnson and Johnson’s Janssen vaccine offers 72% protection against infection and 86% against severe disease. The Janssen vaccine uses Adenovirus 26 (AD26) as the vector to deliver DNA material into our cells to provoke an immune response.

The Moderna and Janssen vaccines are approved for those 18 years old and up. The Pfizer vaccine is approved starting at age 16.

All three vaccines are highly effective in preventing death.

This paper shows the Covid-19 vaccine may also protect men from erectile dysfunction.

The post University Of Miami Researchers Link Erectile Dysfunction to Penile Damage from Covid-19 appeared first on Medika Life.