Male Eating Disorders

Eating Disorders in Males

Eating disorders have traditionally been a “woman’s problem.” It has not been until recently that we have recognized the fact that males are suffering from these deadly disorders as well. It has been generally agreed upon that anywhere from five to 15 percent of all reported cases of eating disorders are attributed to men. This paper will examine its incidence in males and the physical and psychological aspects associated with having an eating disorder.

First lets look at the history of eating disorders. The very first case of an eating disorder diagnosed was actually a male. In 1689, Dr. Richard Morton described a case of “nervous consumption” in a 16-year-old male and he was prescribed restraint from horseback riding and his studies. (Carlat, Camargo, & Herzog, 1997) In the 1700s the full plump female figure was considered to be the most beautiful because it showed a sign of wealth. It was not until the 1920s that smaller female figures seemed to be in vogue. It was during this time that women began to dress more “provocatively” in flapper dresses. The Barbie doll came out in the 1940s which put an absolutely unrealistic measuring stick up to little girls. The 1960s saw an upsurgance of anorexia when Twiggy, the gaunt British actress became popular. And recently our society has seen an increase in the incidence of eating disorders, especially in men.

Now lets define anorexia nervosa and bulimia. According to the DSM-IV the diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa are “body image distortion, amenorrhea, and intense fear of gaining weight, resulting in body weight that is at least 15% below that expected for age and height.” (Hausenblas & Carron, 1999) The definition for bulimia is less clear. Bulimia includes “self-evaluation that is unduly influenced by body shape or weight and recurrent episodes of uncontrollable binge eating…followed by inappropriate compensatory behavior undertaken to prevent weight gain.” (Hausenblas & Carrron, 1999) This compensatory behavior may include use of laxatives, diuretics, self-induced vomiting, strict dieting, fasting or inordinate exercising. Unlike anorexics, bulimics are usually at or above their body weight.

These diseases may result in biological problems including amenorrhea for females, gonadotropin secretion in males, electrolyte imbalances, gastrointestinal disorders, endo...

... middle of paper ...

...utchins, D.E., Getz, H.G., & Hayes, G.L. (2000). Male Anorexia

Nervosa: A New Focus. Journal of Mental Health Counseling. 22, 365-370.

Goode, E. (2000). Thinner: The Male Battle With Anorexia. New York Times.

06/25/2000, Vol. 149, Issue 51430, Section 16, p8.

Hausenblas, H.A., & Carron, A.V. (1999). Eating Disorder Indices and Athletes: An

Integration. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology. 21, 230-258.

McLorg, P.A. & Taub, D.E. (1992) Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia: The Development of

Deviant Identities. In D.H. Kelly (Ed.), Deviant Behavior: A Text-Reader in the Sociology of Deviance. (pp. 203-214). New York: Worth Publishers.

Phillpot, D., & Sheppard, G. (1998). More Than Mere Vanity. Guidance & Counseling.

13, 28-34.

Romero, F. (1994). Adolescent Boys and Anorexia Nervosa. Adolescence. 29, 643-648.

Shiltz, T. (2000). Males and Eating Disorders: Research. Eating Disorders Awareness

and Prevention, Inc. Retrieved on November 18, 2001 from the World Wide Web: http://www.edap.org/edinfo/menresearch.html

Zerbe, K.J. (1992) Eating Disorders in the 1990s: Clinical Challenges and Treatment

Implications. Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic. 56, 167-188.