New research has found that a distorted body image among teenage boys can lead to depression.

According to US studies, teenage boys who perceive themselves to be too skinny, but who are actually a healthy weight, are at an increased risk of becoming depressed.

Boys who think they are overweight when they are a healthy weight are also at an increased risk of depression, but not to the same extent as those who feel they are too underweight.

"These studies highlight the often under-reported issue of distorted body image among adolescent boys. Teenage girls tend to internalise and strive for a thin appearance, whereas teenage boys tend to emphasize a more muscular body type. We found that some of these boys who feel they are unable to achieve that often unattainable image are suffering and may be taking drastic measures," the researchers said.

They first looked at a sample of over 2,100 boys with an average age of 16, who were followed up over a 13-year period.

Those who perceived themselves to be very underweight, but who were actually of average weight, displayed the highest level of depressive symptoms. These findings remained throughout the study, which ended when the boys were almost 30.

In a second sample, the researchers looked at over 8,000 boys who were aged between 14 and 18. This sample also found that those who perceived themselves to be underweight when they were not, were more likely to display symptoms of depression. They were also more likely to be victims of bullying and to have attempted the use of steroids.

The researchers warned doctors working with teenage boys who are depressed to consider the potential use of steroids, especially if the boys think they are too skinny or are being bullied because of their appearance.

Details of these findings are published in the journal, Psychology of Men & Masculinity.

For more information on depression, see our Depression Clinic here