The following information was kindly supplied by:
Eating Disorders Foundation of Victoria (EDFV)
Information, Education, Support & Referral for people with eating disorders, their families and friends
www.eatingdisorders.org.au
Males and Eating Disorders
Eating disorders have long been perceived to exclusively affect females. The statistics, however, suggest one in ten people experiencing an eating disorder are male, with many experts in the field believing this figure to under represent the true prevalence of males suffering from an eating disorder. While there is no doubt women are more susceptible to eating disorders than males, it is a sad scenario that many men experience eating disorders too, with cases often going undiagnosed leaving men without the resources they need for recovery, due to the shame and self-imposed silence that goes with experiencing a “women’s illness”. Due to many unreported cases of males with eating disorders, it may be the case that the problem of males and eating disorders is far more pertinent than the statistics would have us believe. The undeniable truth about eating disorders is they do not discriminate between gender, age or race; and the pain and anguish which accompany an eating disorder can have a debilitating effect on a person’s life.
History
Historically speaking, the males and eating disorders phenomenon is not a new one. In fact one of the first two recorded cases of anorexia was that of a male, by British physician Richard Morton back in 1689. Since then there have been a small number of recorded cases of males with eating disorders, however the mass of literature and documentation has focused almost entirely on female cases. In his book Males with Eating Disorders, Arnold Anderson, M.D., clinical psychologist and a leading figure in the research and treatment of males with eating disorders, comments that the subject has been periodically neglected and rediscovered.
Why Men Don’t Seek Help
It is fairly indisputable that the topic of eating disorders and body image issues among men is somewhat taboo in the current landscape of society. Let’s take a look at a few influencing factors which may prevent males from seeking the help and support they need when experiencing an eating disorder:
· By nature, males are naturally less likely to seek medical help than women regarding illness or injury in general, particularly for serious problems. Dr Murray Drummond of the University of South Australia suggests it is males inherent resistance to seeking medical help, along with the notion eating disorders are predominately a female condition that may be major prevailing factors as to why so few men with eating disorders seek help.
· Further contributing to the impression that males do not suffer from eating disorders is the fact the vast majority of media attention to eating disorders if focused on women’s experiences. Most eating disorder research subjects are female and treatment services are filled primarily with female clients. Considering these realities it’s hardly surprising many males feel intimidated and isolated in their experiences and are left reluctant to seek help.
Reasons for Concern
The high prevalence of undiagnosed cases of males with eating disorders presents a dangerous landscape for those resisting the psychological and medical help they need for recovery. While eating disorders vary in their severity, the physical and psychological impacts of an eating disorder have an extensive impact on a person’s wellbeing, and tend to worsen overtime, hence the importance of seeking help as soon as a problem is recognized.
How Men Are Affected
Anderson concludes that the symptoms of anorexia and bulimia are more alike than dissimilar in males and females. Also, much of the research in the field concludes that available recovery and treatment methods for eating disorders are equally as effective in males and females, which is a hopeful notion despite the extent of neglect the topic receives on the whole.
The underlying emotional and psychological issues of an eating disorder, such as low self esteem and a drive for perfectionism and control are fairly consistent across the genders, which further demonstrates eating disorders are non-discriminatory. The available literature points to some differences in the way males are affected and these are worth noting:
· Men are more likely to be overweight or obese prior to the development of the eating disorder, whereas women are usually close to average weight prior to onset.
· While female onset is often during adolescent years, men tend to develop eating disorders at an older age
· Dieting is less common and severe in males as an eating disorder characteristic, whereby they are equally as likely to use physical activity to lose weight or change body shape
· Males who have a job that requires thinness, such as models, actors or entertainers seem to be at a higher risk than the general population in developing an eating disorder.
· Male athletes are at a considerable risk of developing an eating disorder. Sports such as gymnastics, swimming, diving and running (sometimes referred to as lean sports) can lead to some male athletes pursuing an overriding drive for thinness (either through increased physical activity, restricted diet or both). Alternatively, sports such as football and body building focus more on lean muscle mass and athletes within these fields are at risk of an unhealthy pursuit for increased body size. Athletes with eating disorders may partake in unhealthy and potentially dangerous activities such as restrictive dieting, extreme exercise regimes and/or anabolic steroid abuse.
· A study at the John Hopkins University School of Medicine shows gay men make up to 42 percent of males experiencing an eating disorder.
· Recent media attention suggests the fashion industry is moving towards the emaciated look for male models. Prominent designers such as Hedi Slimane whose ‘underfed’ look, which is inspired by the androgynous indie rock image, has sparked a trend throughout the industry. Trends such as these demonstrate that men too are susceptible to media pressure and unrealistic ideals, which can be dangerous factors in the development of body image issues and eating disorders.
Prevalence
It is difficult to gauge the true prevalence of males experiencing eating disorders, as no statistic presented can take into account the undiagnosed cases that may be present. The Eating Disorders Foundation of Victoria accepts the suggested estimate that one in ten young adults and approximately 25% of children diagnosed with anorexia nervosa are male. In 2007, Harvard University Medical School released the results of a mental healthy survey of 9000 adults in the United States which suggests up to 25% of adults with eating disorders are male.
It is a compelling reality that males do experience eating disorders, and this is a plight in need of greater awareness and acceptance in the public arena. Despite the differences between the experiences of males and females with eating disorders, the truth remains that an eating disorder is a traumatic ordeal that can be extremely dangerous and even life threatening without necessary support, help and treatment. With a greater level of acceptance and acknowledgement of the issue, perhaps those males who are battling an eating disorder in silence will seek the help they need to begin their own rewarding path to recovery.
Conclusion
It is most important to recognize that the underlying issues, physical dangers and emotional anguish associated with eating disorders are consistent across the genders. Despite the negative stigma which still surrounds the topic of males and eating disorders (at least for now), it is hopeful to note that the treatment services available, such as psychotherapy, nutritional advice and support groups are equally as effective in treating males, and the prospect of recovery is realistic and available to all persons experiencing an eating disorder.
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Arnold E. Anderson’s book Males with Eating Disorders (1990) (Brunner-Routledge) takes an informative look into the nature of eating disorders and their impact on males. This book is new to the EDFV library is available for loan to financial members.
Dr Murray Drummond is a Senior Lecturer in Health Promotion and Sociocultural Aspects of Health and Sport within the Human Movement degree, as well an adjunct Associate Professor in the School of Medicine at the University of Adelaide. His research interests include men’s health issues, including body image and eating disorders, and he is a leading figure in raising awareness within the Australian arena in this area.