Eating Disorders >> Eating Disorders and Males >> How Males Are Affected
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How Males Are Affected

In most cases, the symptoms of anorexia and bulimia are more alike than dissimilar in males and females. Much of the research in the field concludes that available recovery and treatment methods for eating disorders are equally as effective in males and females, which is a hopeful notion despite the extent of neglect the topic receives on the whole. 
The underlying emotional and psychological issues of an eating disorder, such as low self esteem and a drive for perfectionism and control are fairly consistent across the genders. The available literature points to some differences in the way males are affected and these are worth noting:
  • Men more likely to be overweight or obese prior to the development of the eating disorder, whereas women tend to be close to average weight prior to onset.
  • Some studies have revealed that men who reported negative reactions towards their bodies from peers, such as teasing, were more likely to develop an eating disorder, making this a possible risk factor. 
  • While female onset is often in adolescent years, men tend to develop eating disorders at an older age. The average age of onset in males is 17-26 compared to 15-18 in females. 
  • Dieting is less common and severe in males as an eating disorder characteristic, whereby they are equally as likely to use physical activity to lose weight or change body shape 
  • Males who have a job that requires thinness, such as models, actors or entertainers seem to be at a higher risk than the general population in developing an eating disorder.
  • Male athletes are at a considerable risk of developing an eating disorder. Sports such as gymnastics, swimming, diving and running (sometimes referred to as lean sports) can lead to some male athletes pursuing an overriding drive for thinness (either through increased physical activity, restricted diet or both). Alternatively, sports such as football and body building focus more on lean muscle mass and athletes within these fields are at risk of an unhealthy pursuit for increased body size. Athletes with eating disorders may partake in unhealthy and potentially dangerous activities such as restrictive dieting, extreme exercise regimes and/or anabolic steroid abuse. 
  • A study at the John Hopkins University School of Medicine shows gay men make up to 42 percent of males experiencing an eating disorder.
  • Recent media attention suggests the fashion industry is moving towards the emaciated look for male models. Trends such as these demonstrate that men too are susceptible to media pressure and unrealistic ideals which can be dangerous factors in the development of body image issues and eating disorders. 

Last Updated: February 2009