Eating disorders in the male population

Disordered eating in the male population has only recently become more prevalent. In the 60’s and 70’s disordered eating in boys/men was almost non-existent.

It would appear that male and female behaviours differ for example steroid use and over the counter muscle enhancers are commonly abused by the male population (due to the social stigma of masculinity), whereas women are likely to abuse laxative and go to extreme measures to reduce muscle mass. These differences require further research into so that correct diagnosis on eating disorders in men can be determined. Thus eating disorders in men may well be greater than we currently anticipate.

Misunderstandings about boys/men and eating disorders often cause delayed and incorrect diagnosis. Some of the reasons for this stem from society’s generalised differentiation upon men and women. Following are issues that provoke this misunderstanding;

General belief that boys don’t get eating disorders, Obsessing about one’s appearance would socially be considered vein, this is associated with women. Men that take on female attributes are ridiculed for being ‘gay’. Vanity is not socially considered a masculine attribute.

As well as the misperception of eating disorders in women, the negligence of appearance obsession as a symptom of a mental disorder. The belief that only women develop disordered eating because generally it is women who wish to lose weight. (Anyone can develop a mental disorder; pressures on masculinity can cause men to take on an eating disorder that relates to masculinity opposed to femininity!) The focus on anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa as eating disorders; compulsive eating and binge eating disorder affect men and women a lot more equally.

Issues with boy’s eating disorders are very similar from a physiological perspective. Medical concerns are similar in terms of malnutrition or the effects of not having the correct diet. Support for male eating disorder as a result of the issue being under researched is lacking somewhat. Treatment programmes accommodate both men and women are certainly available especially from a mental health perspective.

Boys are often isolated from their peers with an eating disorder and may well feel unable to talk about their concerns with weight food, body shape. In this respect they are lacking support. Accepting that they have a problem with food appears to be harder for males than females. This is down to the social stigma around eating disorders and boys; judgment is feared in a similar way to a gay person ‘coming out’.

Treatment for males is currently similar to women; further research can enable more specific treatment options for boys/men. Attending male focus groups can be a very good start as it gives the individual a feeling of social belonging rather than feeling differentiated amongst female patients, whom although struggle with very similar issues take on different behaviours. A male orientated focus group allows them to feel comfortable both with their eating disorder and also their gender in relation to their eating disorder. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can be very effective in treating male patients, as it is more generalised approach to treatment and regardless of what behaviours the individual has adopted, CBT aim to change any negative behaviour thus eradicating gender differences.

By the 80’s and 90’s it was thought that 10% of those inflicted with eating disorders were male and now it is even higher with a prevalence of 25-30% of diagnosis being male orientated. It is Apparent that diagnosis of eating disorders in males is on the rise. Research on the occurrence of eating disorders in males is limited; it is clear that the DSM IV (Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders) has criteria set out that specifically applicable to female patients.

The image of males in the media was not as prominent 30 years ago as it is today; new concerns about how men ‘should’ look as well as women are now evolving. However this is generally in terms of masculinity and thus behaviours still differ! (For example loosing fat mass but gaining muscle mass, whereas women aim to lose mass altogether!) Fashion for men is now widely accepted and pushed in the media, with male models, male fashion magazines and trends...the social desire for men to ‘dress well’ has increased. A large misconception that eating disorders in boys and men relate directly to sexual identity.

Eating disorders in males should be taken very seriously. Studies have concluded that boys lose weight faster than girls do; this often results in a quicker downward spiral in the development of the disorder. The quicker it is recognised and treated the quicker proper health can be restored. From a mental aspect also, it is important to treat an eating disorder sooner rather than later; before destructive behaviours become imbedded and part of ‘a way of life’ for the individual. In children specifically quick treatment is important for long term prognosis with regard to their growth curve.

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