New documentary highlights dangers of health supplements, social media

New documentary highlights dangers of health supplements, social media

“Generation Flex” is streaming free on Very Local

Updated: 12:03 PM EST Jan 9, 2025

(suspenseful music) – [Narrator 1] When you’re a little boy, you are always flexing and proving how strong you are. When you get older, you start looking at guys with muscle, and that looks good to you. (upbeat music) – [Narrator 2] All my life, I’ve been a skinny kid. – [Narrator 3] I really started to notice the way that I looked. – It became like a struggle. – I looked up on the internet, “How can I gain muscle quickly?” – [Narrator 3] You know, on social media, like Instagram. – Being fed different people that have a specific body. – [Narrator 3] Six pack. – [Narrator 4] Broad shoulders. – [Narrator 3] Super jacked arms, I wanna look like that. – The more boys post fitness-related content, the more likely they actually are to get likes. – You see everyone in the comment section wanting to get their body, and then you look at yours. – This rise in pressure of muscularity has driven many boys and men to become preoccupied and obsessed with going to the gym. – There was a while where I’d be at the gym for like two and a half hours. – One hour was never enough. – No. (upbeat music) – [Narrator 1] The designers behind social media know how to draw us in. – Any platform you’d see, influencers that like have a lot of muscle promoting these different brands. – There are a lot of risks. Most of these are not regulated by the food and drug administration. – There were some nights where I just wouldn’t sleep. – [Narrator 3] It was just like really bad. – [Narrator 1] It was just too much. (upbeat music) (Ambulance siren) – [Narrator 2] The next thing I remember, paramedics around me. (dramatic music) – [Narrator 1] His muscles were just growing faster than his bones. The algorithms got you, and it’ll send you more and more of these images. – [Narrator 3] I was just trying to look better. – [Narrator 2] Never knew that there was going to be consequences. (dramatic bang)

New documentary highlights dangers of health supplements, social media

“Generation Flex” is streaming free on Very Local

Updated: 12:03 PM EST Jan 9, 2025

The newest documentary on Very Local, Generation Flex, presents an eye-opening exploration of the societal pressures confronting young men today, driven by the pervasive allure of idealized hypermuscular physiques.READ MORE: Should teens take supplements? Here’s what parents should know The story is told from the perspective of four young men who provide personal testimonies shedding light on social media and societal expectations’ impact on their self-image. Through candid interviews with experts in pediatric health and social sciences, the film dissects the psychological ramifications of striving for unattainable body standards.Stream “Generation Flex” free on Very Local, starting Jan. 9. What is Very Local? Very Local is a streaming app where you can watch daily newscasts, original series and more. Keep connected to your hometown with the news and weather team you trust, and discover original series and specials that explore your community and beyond. Download the app here.

The newest documentary on Very Local, Generation Flex, presents an eye-opening exploration of the societal pressures confronting young men today, driven by the pervasive allure of idealized hypermuscular physiques.

READ MORE: Should teens take supplements? Here’s what parents should know

The story is told from the perspective of four young men who provide personal testimonies shedding light on social media and societal expectations’ impact on their self-image. Through candid interviews with experts in pediatric health and social sciences, the film dissects the psychological ramifications of striving for unattainable body standards.

Stream “Generation Flex” free on Very Local, starting Jan. 9.

What is Very Local?

Very Local is a streaming app where you can watch daily newscasts, original series and more. Keep connected to your hometown with the news and weather team you trust, and discover original series and specials that explore your community and beyond. Download the app here.