Eating Disorders and Males

Eating disorders were for a long time perceived to exclusively affect females. We now know this is NOT true. The research statistics suggest one in ten people experiencing an eating disorder is male, with many experts in the field believing this figure to under-represent the true prevalence of males suffering from an eating disorder. While there is no doubt women are more susceptible to eating disorders than males, it is a sad scenario that many men experience eating disorders too, with cases often going undiagnosed, leaving men without the resources they need for recovery due to the shame and self-imposed silence that goes with experiencing a ‘women’s illness’. Due to a high number of unreported cases of males with eating disorders, it may be the case that the problem of males and eating disorders is far more pertinent than the statistics would have us believe.

It is most important to recognise that the underlying issues, physical dangers and emotional anguish associated with eating disorders are consistent across the genders. It is important to note that the treatment services available, such as psychotherapy, nutritional advice and support groups are equally as effective in treating males, and the prospect of recovery is equally as realistic and available to males experiencing an eating disorder, as it is to females.

Last Updated: February 2009