Wednesday 17/04/2024
PHOTO: Majestic Lukas
Text: Lucia Zapata y Lina Camacho
Eating disorders are not exclusive to women; they also affect men. Society and health professionals tend to associate these disorders mainly with women, making it difficult for men to recognize them and seek help.
ED in men: main causes
Although the scientific evidence available in this field is still growing and gaining more and more exposure, different joint analyses with both genders have shown that these disorders also affect men with a higher prevalence than what is socially known. Men who experience eating disorders face social and cultural stigmas that can make it difficult to identify symptoms and access care. In men, beauty standards and pressure to maintain a muscular or lean body may contribute to the development of these disorders, putting athletes and bodybuilders who must meet certain weights or physical appearances, particularly at risk. It is important to note that each individual’s personal history may increase the likelihood of developing an eating disorder; traumatic experiences or self-esteem issues may increase this vulnerability.
Anorexia in men and other eating disorders: Which are the most common?
Studies show that the most common disorders in men are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Symptoms and behaviors include:
- Dietary restriction
- Binge eating episodes
- Compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting or excessive exercise.
- Excessive preoccupation with appearance and body weight.
Two other very common eating disorders in men are Vigorexia and Orthorexia. The latter two are not yet formally recognized as eating disorders in the DSM-5 or ICD-10 diagnostic manual, but several medical guidelines have been published.
What is Vigorexia and how does it affect men?
Individuals with Vigorexia have a distorted perception of their body image, always believing that they are not muscular or strong enough. They become obsessed with their appearance and engage in excessive exercise routines, and weight lifting, and consume high-protein diets. This disorder can have serious physical health consequences, such as muscle strains, joint injuries and malnutrition. Vigorexia may be the result of obsessive behaviors, but may also be related to symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder. Given that the current social ideal for the male physique leans toward hypermesomorphism, more and more men today tend to engage in behaviors dedicated to increasing their muscularity to alleviate the anxiety related to not having a muscular body. Vigorexia is positively associated with anxiety symptoms and symptoms related to depression.
Orthorexia: What is it and how does it affect men?
Orthorexia, on the other hand, involves an obsessive focus on eating healthy foods. It usually occurs in adolescents or young adults. People with orthorexia are overly concerned about the quality and purity of their food, and often avoid certain food groups that they perceive as “unhealthy” or “impure”. It is an eating pattern that usually occurs in both men and women, in the case of men in particular, it usually goes hand in hand with excessive exercise routines at the gym and excessive efforts to maintain certain muscles.
Consequences of EDs in men
All of these eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors can have serious physical and mental consequences, including malnutrition, depression, anxiety and various medical complications such as heart damage and dental erosion.
Treatment of eating disorders in men
Management of eating disorders in men usually includes psychological support along with nutritional therapy to restore healthy eating patterns. Group therapy can also be beneficial, allowing for sharing experiences with peers. In severe cases, hospitalization and medical observation should also be considered.
Men struggling with these disorders face specific challenges, such as the associated stigma and lack of awareness of their prevalence in this gender. This prevents many from seeking the necessary support. In turn, difficulty in diagnosis and lack of research are also obstacles. It is therefore essential to address these issues to ensure that men receive the necessary support and care.
In conclusion, it is crucial to recognize that eating disorders affect both genders and that men may manifest different symptoms than women. While women tend to seek a slim figure and weight loss, men may be more focused on developing a defined musculature. Therefore, it is critical to combat stigmatization and increase awareness of these disorders in men to ensure early detection and proper access to treatment. If you know someone who may be struggling with an eating disorder, encourage seeking professional help and emotional support.
References:
- Halbeisen, G., Laskowski, N., Brandt, G., Waschescio, U., & Paslakis, G. (2024). Eating Disorders in Men: An Underestimated Problem, an Unseen Need. Deutsches Ärzteblatt International, 121(3).
- Guerra GC, Paone A, Lionetti F, Spinelli M, Fasolo M, D’Urso G. The Role of Psychological Parental Control and Internalizing Problems in the Etiology of Vigorexia and Orthorexia in Adolescence. Children (Basel). 2024 Feb 17;11(2):259. doi: 10.3390/children11020259. PMID: 38397371; PMCID: PMC10888268.