Men and Eating Disorders
Eating disorders in men are on the rise and making the topic taboo isn’t helping.
25% of people with eating disorders are male.
Underdiagnosed and undertreated, eating disorders in men can be dangerous and life-threatening. Societal pressures and stigma may cause men to deny their symptoms and avoid seeking treatment. Furthermore, eating disorders in men are not always reflected in the symptoms that women experience. Discussing these symptoms can allow us to catch eating disorders early in their development and promote a healthy recovery.
What are the symptoms?
Weight loss behaviors are NOT the only symptoms of eating disorders. In fact, masculine body ideals have influenced men to want large muscles and to gain weight. In a recent study, 25% of young men reported that they take supplements, steroids, or eat more to bulk up. The pursuit of weight loss is also problematic for men, especially amongst athletes. Overall, eating disorders are difficult to see from an outside perspective.
How is body dysmorphia related to eating disorders?
Body dysmorphia is a mental health disorder in which you constantly obsess over perceived defects or flaws in your appearance. These flaws are often minor and go unnoticed by others around you. Examples include feeling too fat or believing that your muscles are not big enough. These flaws may wrongly convince you to believe that your body in its entirety is imperfect or ugly. Constantly comparing your appearance with others and seeking cosmetic procedures with little satisfaction are two signs of body dysmorphia.
Body dysmorphic disorder and eating disorders share some common symptoms, but not every case of body dysmorphic disorder is an eating disorder. However, body dysmorphic disorder can lead to the development of nutritional deficiencies and require nutritional intervention. Understanding the signs and symptoms of both types of disorders will allow for proper recovery.
Any man struggling with their behaviors towards food and/or their body is at risk for developing an eating disorder. No matter your gender or societal expectations, you are deserving of help.
Sources:
“Men’s Group.” Balance Eating Disorder Treatment Center. https://balancedtx.com/mens-eating-disorder-group-nyc. Accessed February 1 2022.
White, Marney A. “Eating Disorders in Men Are Not Talked About Enough — and They’re on the Rise.” Healthline, https://www.healthline.com/health/eating-disorders/eating-disorders-in-men. Accessed 1 February 2022.