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Male Eating Disorders
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| Wednesday, February 20th, 2008 | Emily Halevy | CWK Producer |
“The images in these magazines for boys are these hard bodies, six pack stomachs, Adonis-type bodies that are airbrushed, unrealistic, hard to achieve. And so the boys are comparing themselves to these images and, of course, coming up short and doing the same kinds of things the girls are doing.”
– Dina Zeckhausen, Ph.D., psychologist
According to recent estimates, between 7 and 10 million girls and women in America suffer from eating disorders – either anorexia or bulimia. But there is another shocking number that people often overlook -- the number of boys with an eating disorder.
“Towards the end of it, I looked in the mirror and I’m like, ‘My God, I’m nothing but bones,’” says Michael, 17.
At the end of high school, Michael was 6 feet tall and weighed only 135 pounds.
“I used to just drink water and eat a mint and I’d be set for the whole day,” says Michael.
Michael had anorexia.
“It is still primarily a female issue, but it is affecting more boys and men,” says Rick Kilmer, Ph.D., psychologist, eating disorders specialist.
In fact, according to the National Eating Disorders Association, today, more than 10 percent of those with eating disorders are male. Experts say that boys -- just like girls -- are influenced by the media.
“The images in these magazines for boys are these hard bodies, six-pack stomachs, Adonis-type bodies that are airbrushed, unrealistic, hard to achieve. And so the boys are comparing themselves to these images and, of course, coming up short and doing the same kinds of things the girls are doing,” says Dina Zeckhausen, Ph.D., psychologist.
It’s not easy, experts say, but parents can counteract the media with a message of their own.
“The message [is]: ‘You are not your body, you are not your pecs; it doesn’t matter what you look like, it’s your character, your accomplishments, your relationships that matter,’” says Kilmer.
“What it really came down to was being comfortable with yourself. And really having confidence in yourself. And that’s basically what I lacked,” says Michael.
With the help of a dietician and therapist, Michael slowly gained about 30 pounds. What does he say to those who think anorexia affects only girls?
“Hello! This happens to us, too,” says Michael.
Many experts believe the true number of males with eating disorders is actually higher than studies show, as it is most likely underreported. Many males, out of embarrassment, never seek help.
What We Need To Know
- Eating disorders are serious and dangerous. The disorders include: (National Institute of Mental Health, NIH)
- Anorexia nervosa, in which you become too thin, but you don't eat enough because you think you are fat.
- Bulimia nervosa, which involves periods of overeating followed by purging, most often through self-induced vomiting or using laxatives.
- Binge-eating, which is out-of-control eating.
- Eating disorders can cause heart and kidney problems and even death. Getting help early is important. Treatment involves monitoring, mental health therapy, nutritional counseling and sometimes medicines. (NIH)
- One in four pre-adolescent cases of anorexia occurs in boys; binge-eating disorders affect males and females about equally. (NIH)
- Just like females who have eating disorders, males with the illness have a distorted sense of body image and often have muscle dysmorphia, a type of disorder that is characterized by an extreme concern with becoming more muscular. (NIH)
- Boys with eating disorders exhibit the same types of emotional, physical and behavioral signs and symptoms as girls, but for a variety of reasons. Boys are less likely to be diagnosed with what is often considered a stereotypically "female" disorder. (NIH)
Resources
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIH)
