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Men with Eating Disorders

© Heather Mudgett.

Over the years, I've noticed that most information and research about eating disorders is directed mainly towards women. But it's not only women who struggle with this devastating problem. It has been estimated that approximately 8 million people in the United States suffer from eating disorders. Of that eight million, it has been estimated that 10% - 15% are men. I guess that just about debunks the misinformed notion that eating disorders are a vanity issue that only women deal with, doesn't it?

Men who struggle with eating disorders may in fact have a more difficult time of it than women. They may feel a sense of shame. Perhaps because of that same old misconception that anorexia, bulimia and other aspects of eating disorders, are a women's disease. (Sure, and only rich, white, teenagers have eating disorders so that they can look like movie stars, right?)

Generally, the logistics of eating disorders in men are the same as in women. The same treatment options can guide a patient towards recovery. Studies show that men, however, seem to be more hesitant than women, to seek treatment.

Some men develop eating disorders as a result of emotional or psychological problems. Just as it has been suggested with women, eating disorders with men are often a symptom of depression or another problem. Other men, however, may be athletes, who develop an eating disorder as a result of trying to lower their weight or body fat to otherwise improve their performance.

Suzanne Koudsi of the Prudential Fellowship for Children, writes "Eating-disordered males generally fall into two categories. Some males develop eating disorders as a result of underlying psychological problems, said Sacker, such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or anxiety disorder. Others are athletes who become addicted to the habits they form while training for competitive sports." Take a moment to review her entire article: BEHIND THE SHADOWS: MALES WITH EATING DISORDERS.

In their paper THE FORGOTTEN MALE, Katharine Hubscher & Joanne Craig review the similarities and differences between males and females with eating disorders. They point out that "Apart from over-exercising, male patients present remarkably similar clinical features to female patients. Weight loss is achieved by various means, including those of regular, sustained avoidance of carbohydrates and fats, and purging through laxative abuse and self-induced vomiting (the latter being more common amongst male anorexics)." They also explain that "The stereotypic male anorexic has been described as obsessive, depressive, overly-sensitive and prone to feelings of guilt and inadequacy. Issues related to family dynamics and psycho-sexual development have been shown to be important in the diagnosis of eating disorders in males: according to a number of studies, many male anorexics have poor father-son relationships and their fathers are reported to typify strong cultural images of masculinity, for example, overindulgence in alcohol. Male patients are also thought to have close relationships with domineering, overprotective mothers and it is common to find that there is marital disharmony amongst the parents of sufferers."

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