People often associate eating disorders with women. However, eating disorder behaviors such as fasting, purging, and preoccupation with body image can also affect men.
The desire to have a toned, “toned” look or meet certain exercise requirements can lead men to be dissatisfied with their bodies and develop eating disordered behaviors.
Stereotypes that men don’t experience eating disorders can cause medical professionals to overlook symptoms in men. It can also leave affected men feeling isolated and shamed.
In this article, we’ll discuss the prevalence of eating disorders in men, which eating disorders men may suffer from, and the symptoms to look out for.
According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), one third A higher proportion of people with eating disorders are men. They also report that approximately 10 million men in the United States experience an eating disorder.
Moreover, 2019 articles Recent statistics reporting eating disorders in men suggest that the problem is likely significantly underestimated.
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However, due to social prejudice, men may not ask Helps with eating disorders. If so, language is used in the current clinical assessment of eating disorders. For Women.
For example, these assessments use amenorrhea, the absence of menstrual periods, as a diagnostic criterion for eating disorders.
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- Body dissatisfaction: Men can become dissatisfied when they compare their body image to the “ideal” image.
- Muscle dysmorphia: They may be concerned that their body doesn’t look as muscular as they would like.
- Sociocultural influences: Modern culture and media constantly promote a toned, muscular body as the ideal masculine body.
- Mental or psychological predisposition: In addition to depression, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), having several other mood disorders may increase your risk of developing an eating disorder.
men with eating disorders
- Bulimia nervosa: Characteristics of this eating disorder include repeated episodes of binge eating followed by purging behaviors such as excessive exercise, vomiting, or taking laxatives.
- Anorexia nervosa: This condition may include avoiding or severely restricting food due to an intense fear of weight gain. Subtypes include restrictive and overeating.
- Bulimia: Characteristics include the rapid consumption of large amounts of food without excretion behavior.
Several
MD is characterized by a preoccupation with the shape and size of one’s muscles, which can cause significant pain and interfere with daily functioning.
People with MD may believe their muscles are smaller than they really are and believe they are unattractive. This thinking can lead them to engage in eating disorder behaviors such as bulimia and subsequent excessive exercise.
Symptoms of eating disorders can be subtle and difficult for people and doctors to recognize.
Symptoms also vary depending on the type of eating disorder.but
Treatment for eating disorders varies from person to person. Neda emphasize the need for a gender-sensitive approach during treatment, including consideration of biological and cultural factors.
NEDA says research suggests men with eating disorders have a higher mortality rate than women and early detection and treatment is essential.
It is important to approach treatment with a multifaceted approach that combines physical and mental aspects.current treatments
If a person is experiencing or showing signs of an eating disorder, it is
A medical professional can direct someone to mental health resources and begin the most beneficial treatment.
How to help someone with an eating disorder
Supporting a loved one with an eating disorder is difficult, but essential to recovery. Here are some tips:
- Avoid judgment: Listen to them, be empathetic, and avoid critical comments about their eating habits or appearance.
- Express your concern: Let them know they are loved and encourage them to ask for help.
- be patient: Recovery from an eating disorder is a long process, so be patient and understanding.
- the study: Learn about eating disorders and their treatments to better support others going through this journey.
Learn more about how to provide emotional support.
Eating disorders in men are a serious but often overlooked problem. Culture, and even modern medicine, often doesn’t recognize this as something that men can experience. Therefore, current assessment tools can focus on women.
Understanding that eating disorders can affect anyone, regardless of gender, and providing those affected with the support they need is important to changing this stereotype. .
If you know someone who is suffering from an eating disorder, it is important to contact your doctor for guidance and support. Recovery is possible with proper treatment and a strong support system.
