Eating Disorders
- What is an Eating Disorder?
- Warning Signs
- Types of Eating Disorders
- Risk Factors
- Classifying Eating Disorders
- Disordered Eating
- Dieting
- Eating Disorders and Children
- Eating Disorders and Adolescents
- Eating Disorders and Males
- Eating Disorders and Older People
- If You Think You May Have an Eating Disorder
- Treatment Information
- For Health Professionals
- Eating Disorders and Other Health Problems
Why Males Don’t Seek Help
It is fairly indisputable that the topic of eating disorders and body image issues among men is somewhat taboo in the current landscape of society. Let’s take a look at a few influencing factors which may prevent males from seeking the help and support they need when experiencing an eating disorder:
- By nature, males are naturally less likely to seek medical help than women regarding illness or injury in general, particularly for serious problems. Dr Murray Drummond of the University of South Australia suggests it is males’ inherent resistance to seeking medical help - along with the notion eating disorders are predominately a female condition - that may be major prevailing factors as to why so few men with eating disorders seek help.
- Further contributing to the impression that males do not suffer from eating disorders is the fact the vast majority of media attention to eating disorders is focused on women’s experiences. Most eating disorder research subjects are female, and treatment services are filled primarily with female clients. Considering these realities it’s hardly surprising many males feel intimidated and isolated in their experiences and are left reluctant to seek help.
Last Updated: February 2009