Although it is difficult to be expressed in precise figures, it is clear that there are many men who hide their eating disorder and do not ask for help. This is because many men have eating disorders “feminine” state of shame and feel combined with the guilt and secrecy for all eating disorders. Eating disorders usually in men aged 14-25 develop, but people can be diverted to other age groups.

How eating disorders develop in men?

Eating disorders in men have many causes such as eating disorders in women. It is certainly a number of different causes and can childhood trauma, including family difficulties and stressful life events, low self-esteem, personality factors and genetic predisposition. The eating disorder is an expression of difficult emotions that can not cope with the individual.

Eating disorders in men may be another way to eating disorders in women – men and boys may be more concerned about having a muscular physique that weight loss. Male eating disorders are often closely associated with movement and may, at first glance to be well, masking the underlying problem. For example, sudden weight loss appear to be the result of a training program for a marathon or triathlon. Similarly, there is also evidence that men with similar projected burdens for women in terms of compliance with an unrealistic body shape, from celebrities, athletes and models. Studies have shown a growing number of people with their bodies and this dissatisfaction and anxiety at a young age can be satisfied to develop.

Risk factors

Some of the same risk factors are known, the women seem to apply equally to men and there are others that are more specific to men. Together with women is the most important factor of distress and unresolved trauma, which manifests itself in an eating disorder. But some groups appear to be at greater risk are:

? Men who are overweight, bullied, or teased about their weight
? Participate in a sport that requires a specific body shape, such as athletes and jockeys are at higher risk
? A study by the national charity Beat found 20 percent of men with eating disorders are homosexual, which is double the proportion of gay men in the population as a whole.
? Men who work in a job or a profession in which an idealized image of the body is very dominant. Male models, actors and artists in general seem to be a higher risk than the general population.

The treatment of men with eating disorders

Many eating disorders are treated effectively without the need for hospitalization or specialized unit. People with bulimia usually respond well to cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and there is a program of CBT for people with eating disorders is well established and prosperous.

People with anorexia and bulimia to evaluate these complexes and treated in a specialized unit for eating disorders. The treatment includes a treatment program, as a rule, with a focus on family therapy when the patient is a teenager and psychotherapy for adults, combined with nutritional support.


clinical eating disorders