Historically, the majority of people diagnosed with eating disorders are female. However, males also experience eating disorders and body image concerns. Research into eating disorders is fairly new (bulimia nervosa was only diagnosed as a separate illness from anorexia in the 1970s and binge eating disorder was only diagnosed in the 1990s). Our research into males and eating disorders is limited.
Current Research

Research tells us that:

• 10% of people diagnosed with eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia nervosa are males (Options Magazine, June, 1994)
• 31% of young males want their body to be heavier and 31% want their body to be lighter. (Body Image. Issues in Society, NSW, Vol 105, 1999)
• It is estimated that 17% of males are on some form of diet and that steroid abuse and exercise disorders are increasing in the young male population. (Weekend Australian, April 1999)
• Preliminary research into Binge Eating Disorder ( an newly recognised eating disorder in the 1990’s), indicates similar prevalence rates between males (3.0%) and females (3.4%). (Paxton, S. (1998) Do Men Get Eating Disorders? in Everybody, Volume 2, August 1998)
• Males are increasingly concerned about their appearance. In 1972, 15% of men reported being dissatisfied with their overall appearance. By 1985, this had risen to 34%, and by 1997, 47% of men were dissatisfied with their overall appearance. (Garner, D. M. (1996) cited in Drummond, M. (1998) Bodies: an emerging issues for boys and young men in Everybody, Volume 2, August 1998)
• We live in a culture which encourages women to be small and thin and men to be big and muscular. (Drummond, M. (1998) Bodies: an emerging issues for boys and young men in Everybody, Volume 2, August 1998)
• 11% of men reported that they would be willing to trade 5 years off their life to be at their ideal weight. (Garner, D. M. (1996) cited in Drummond
  

Under-reporting

• In many health matters, males are less likely than females to seek treatment, particularly for psychological issues
• Males may be less likely to be diagnosed with an eating disorder because of the myth that it is a largely female condition
• Males may have different forms of eating disorders, for example, a female may focus on losing weight where as a male is more likely to focus on gaining weight. As research into eating disorders is relatively new and our acknowledgment that males also experience eating disorders, it may be some time before we have a clearer picture of this.

This may explain why in cases of childhood anorexia (pre-pubescent), approximately 25% of cases are diagnosed in male children (Paxton, 1998). Children are more likely to be taken to a health professional, and perhaps health professionals are more open to diagnosing eating problems in children than adult males.


Differences for males and females

Eating disorders are different for every person, regardless of gender. The causes, behaviours and successful treatment of eating disorders vary from person to person. Initial research indicates some similarities and differences between males and females with eating disorders:

Similarities:

• Demographics (age etc)
• Additional conditions (ie: depression)
• Medical complications
• Self-esteem concerns
• Shape and weight concerns
• Treatment

Differences:

• Males have a greater likelihood of a history of obesity
• Males have a greater occurrence of dieting in relation to sports participation
• Males appear to have more psychiatric issues but engage in less emotional eating than females
• Homosexuality and bi-sexuality seem to be a specific risk factor for males
• Males are more likely to exercise and females are more likely to diet for weight control

Treatment Options

Treatment is a personal choice and what works for one person may not work for another. The treatment options are largely the same for males and females, and are more likely to be limited by age restrictions, financial considerations and other factors. There are a few issues that may be useful to consider:

• Finding someone who has had experience treating other males with eating disorders  may be beneficial
• Many books written on the topic use she although this is starting to change. However, as there are many similarities between males and females with these conditions, these books still offer some valuable information, hope or insight to people regardless of their gender.