by Valerio Esposito
Video game characters set 'unrealistic standards' about how men should look. Image credit: Getty
Video games are making more and more men feel bad about themselves, according to a study drawing a link between video game characters and male body image issues.
US-based researcher Zeely Denmat found that the main characters in many popular video games are often portrayed as extremely muscular men.
This can result in gamers being exposed to unrealistic expectations about how they should look, she said.
Denmat told BOOMERANG: "From the research conducted in our study, it appears that video games may have a negative impact on male body satisfaction, specifically in the time immediately after a session of game play."
A 2006 study had already anticipated the possible negative consequences of video games on male body image.
It showed that boys who read magazines about gaming are more inclined to report greater body dissatisfaction than boys who read fitness and fashion magazines.
However, female gamers are not immune to these negative influences.
Denmat added: "Popular video games generally tend to uphold these unrealistic standards for both genders."
A Stanford University study focused on female gamers showed that the "unrealistic, hypersexualised representations of women" have a negative effect on girls’ self-perception, making them more critical of their appearance after playing the game.
According to Joe Warner, editor of Men’s Fitness, when it comes to body image issues it is important to stay focused on the solution rather than trying to find a culprit.
He said: "We can keep on pointing our finger to Hollywood, the magazines or social media, but in many respects it doesn’t matter how we got here.
"What’s important is what we’re going to do to stop it."