Eating Disorders in Men/ Models

Eating disorders affect an estimated eight million Americans- one million men and seven million women. Of the eight million, only one in ten seek help and treatment. Unfortunately about 80% of the females that do attend treatment centers do not make full recovery and are sent home early.   There are about nine varieties of eating disorders including, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating, anorexia athletica, over exercising, overeating, night eating, orthorexia, and EDNOS.  Anorexia is the third most common chronic illness amongst adolescents. One in two hundred American women suffer from anorexia; and two to three in one hundred suffer from bulimia. Eating disorders are not gender based, or restricted, as an estimated 10- 15% of anorexia and bulimia patients are male (South Carolina Department of Mental Health). So, what are the main sources that fuel the havoc reeking flames of eating disorders? Most begin due to a poor perception of self image, and self worth. In other worlds, if one views themselves as unattractive or unsuitable they start to seek methods of fixing their body, even if it is not the safest option. But what is it that makes us feel like we must look a certain way, or weigh a certain amount? It is the magazines we flip through full of bronze, blonde-haired swimsuit models , and the  latest television shows and movies that feature some of Hollywood’s most attractive actresses and actors. The media plays a substantial role in our thoughts as well as outer appearance. The pressure created by the media affects men and women in varying ways. Men, for example, tend to feel the pressure to be muscular and physically fit, rather than overweight and unhealthy. Males suffering from eating disorders and body image issues tend to have an immense stigma to overcome and, as a result, have been significantly neglected in both diagnosis and treatment (Eating Disorders in Men).  Eating disorders are severely stereotyped and for this reason less is known about the psychological effects of eating disorders in males. Though this trend is beginning to change, there is still a need for more research focusing on males and their gender-specific issues in order to better understand and treat them successfully (Eating Disorders in Men). Men account for 10% of anorexia and bulimia nervosa patients, but because little is known on eating disorders in males the issue seems to go under diagnosed, undertreated, and misunderstood. A further look into causes of these life consuming eating disorders in the male population points out the possible causes to be: weight history, sexual abuse and other trauma, gender orientation, depression and shame, exercise and body image, co-morbid chemical dependency, and as mentioned previously,  media pressures.Unlike women, men tend to have a phase of obesity, or being overweight during some point of their life. Those who suffer moderate obesity during childhood are exceedingly more susceptible to developing an eating disorder. To compensate for excess weight men typically turn to exercise, and because men are more influenced by athletics they often look to favorite athletes or sports teams for influence to lose or gain weight through physical activity. Sexual abuse and eating disorders have a slight correlation, and it is shown that 30% of eating disorder patients had a background of sexual abuse. A major symptom of eating disordered individuals with a history of sexual abuse is body image disturbance (Eating Disorders in Men). Sexual orientation also plays a large factor. Bisexual and gay men are shown to be ten times more likely to have eating disorder issues then heterosexual men. Some men, who experience confusion around sexual orientation, find comfort in weight loss as a product of restricted eating. In anorexia, severe weight loss creates changes in the body's physiology, including lower testosterone levels, resulting for some, in asexuality. For these males, recovery can be difficult as the process of re-gaining weight reverses these physiological factors, thus re-starting puberty. Males with eating disorders tend to experience depression and shame. In today’s society men are expected to disguise their vulnerabilities because displaying signs of depression or shame are viewed as feminine traits (Eating Disorders in Men). To aid with weight loss men are more likely to turn to the use of steroids and growth hormones to aid with bulking up. The rate of anabolic steroid use among young males is roughly equal to that of anorexia and bulimia in young females. Over two million males of all ages have used steroids at one point or another in their life. Steroid users tend to be men with a less than average weight for their height, and to aid in gaining muscle mass binging, purging, and restricting accompany the abuse of hormones. Many women suffer from eating disorders although many remain undiagnosed as the result of unreported cases, secrecy and the ease of deniability associated with eating disorders. Unlike men, the causes of eating disorders in women are usually surrounded by feelings of low self-esteem and self-worth, as well as depression and lack of control.  A woman’s social surroundings play an especially large role, and often give the emphasis of skinniness and weight control. The discussion of weight and dieting occurs on an abnormally regular basis in our society which could push a woman to be influenced to start dieting and could even normalize their perception to be thin (Causes of Eating Disorders). The pressure to look perfect, is now larger than ever. Both men and women can fall into the grips of eating disorders. These diseases are not gender based, nor do the discriminate against race or religion. They can affect anyone. Both the media and our society are to blame for the demand to be thin and good looking. In order to escape these life destroying eating disorders, we need to find a sense of happiness, and self worth in who we are and what we look like. all statistical information is here.