mplex. They assert that "men have lost their faith in the idea that masculinity might be innate, or God-given, so they're trying to build it out of muscle." This has led men to believe that the only route to perfection is through appearance, and that this perfection will somehow be reflected to the inside. But this golden brick road which men are now striving to take isn't easy to follow, and the goal is not easy to reach.
             The researchers say that the standard for the male physique has risen so much through the past few decades that it remains out of reach for most men no matter what they do. Researchers in the field analogize this increase in standards to a G.I. Joe. In 1982, the army toy had a proportionate body and looked fairly normal. However, looking at a G.I. Joe from 1998 the disproportionate body features are evident. If the doll were 6 foot tall, he would have fifty-five inch chest and twenty-seven inch biceps. The current average for these measurements is between 43 and 45 inches for the chest and 14 to 17 inch biceps. Researchers attribute these rising standards mostly to the increased spotlight put on male fashion advertisements, celebrities, and health related magazines. Advertisers like Calvin Klein, Marlboro, Coca-Cola, and Nike use men with buffed bodies to sell their products, while the number of men's fitness magazines have tripled in the last ten years. Marcy Dubova, an eating disorders program director, said, "When I first saw those Marky Mark ads [in reference to an early 90's Calvin Klein underwear campaign] it was the first time I went, 'Oh, my God -- this is it.' It became the same standard that was being held for women -- total objectification." Recent research proved the effect of this exposure by showing a direct correlation between looking at male models and dissatisfaction with one's body. This desire for the perfect body has driven many men into excessive ...