If we asked you to think of what a person with an eating disorder looked like, what image comes to mind? If it is one of a young female, then you are not alone. This stereotypical image is what most people picture when they think of those suffering from these complex mental health issues. However, despite this prevailing misconception that eating disorders are an issue for women, over one third of people with an eating disorder are men.
This harrowing statistic highlights the urgent need to address the stigma and misconceptions surrounding eating disorders in men. Let’s delve-deeper into this often over-looked and underdiagnosed issue and explore the unique challenges faced by men struggling with eating disorders.
Can men get eating disorders?
33% of Australian’s diagnosed with an eating disorder are men, however, this statistic is thought to be significantly higher due to the stigma, shame, and lack of awareness of eating disorder in men. Some of the unique challenges men face with diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders include:
- Stigma and Stereotypes: eating disorders are often seen as a “female problem” leading to shame and reluctance to seek help.
- Cultural Expectations: societal pressures to conform to masculine ideals often exacerbate disordered eating behaviours.
- Underdiagnosis: healthcare providers may overlook eating disorders in men due to a lack of awareness and training, resulting in delayed or missed diagnosis.
Males account for approximately 20% of people with anorexia nervosa, 30% of people with bulimia nervosa, 43% of people with binge eating disorder, 55-77% of people with other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED), and 67% of people with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). Men are there and they deserve support.
Warning signs of an eating disorder in men
Eating disorders in men may present differently than in women and it is important to be aware of these warning signs as societal expectations often masks these symptoms.
For men, eating disorders often focus on achieving a muscular, lean physique rather than thinness. Muscle dysmorphia, characterised by an obsession with appearing muscular, is also more common in men.
While eating disorders in females often start in adolescent years, men tend to develop eating disorders at an older age with the average age of onset between 17–26 years.
Some of the warning signs of an eating disorder in men include:
- Changes in Eating Habits: skipping meals, dieting and following highly restrictive patterns such as cutting out whole food groups, counting calories or ‘macros’, fasting, or obsessive meal planning.
- Excessive Exercise: can often be seen as exercising when injured or unwell, and becoming distressed if they’re unable to exercise. Some men use exercise as a compensatory behaviour for caloric intake, while others are focused on building muscle.
- Preoccupation with Fitness: constantly needing to tone or ‘build muscle’, using muscle enhancing drugs, fear of losing muscle, and fear of gaining excessive weight.
- Physical Symptoms: noticeable weight fluctuations, gastrointestinal issues, and extreme fatigue.
- Behavioural Changes: withdrawn from social activities, mood swings, and increased anxiety at mealtimes.
Seeking help
Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that can affect anyone, regardless of gender, and require professional treatment. If you suspect that you or someone you know has an eating disorder, it’s crucial to seek professional help for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Myrtle Oak Clinic: leading specialists in eating disorder treatment
Myrtle Oak Clinic is a specialist private practice for eating disorder treatment. We uniquely boast a multidisciplinary team of highly trained clinicians, including expert psychologists and dietitians who are trained in evidence-based psychological therapies for eating disorder treatment and lasting recovery.
The team at Myrtle Oak Clinic is dedicated to providing personalised, empathetic, effective, and comprehensive treatment for adults, adolescents, and children with eating disorders. Our multidisciplinary approach ensures that clients receive holistic care addressing both the psychological and nutritional aspects of their eating disorder.
Contact us
Contact our friendly Client Care Coordinators on (02) 43 623 443 for compassionate, inclusive, and personalised eating disorder treatment to achieve better health and well-being.
References
Eating Disorders Victoria. Eating disorders in men and boys. Accessed from: https://www.eatingdisorders.org.au/eating-disorders-a-z/eating-disorders-in-men/
Strother E, Lemberg R, Stanford SC, Turberville D. Eating disorders in men: underdiagnosed, undertreated, and misunderstood. Eat Disord. 2012;20(5):346-55.
National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC). Eating Disorders and Males. Accessed from: https://nedc.com.au/eating-disorders/eating-disorders-explained/eating-disorders-in-males
Paxton S.J., Hay, P., Touyz, S.W., Forbes, D.M., Sloane Girolsi, F., Doherty, A., Cook, L., & Morgan, C. (2012). Paying the price: The Economic and Social Impact of Eating Disorders in Australia, Sydney. The Butterfly Foundation.
