While most often associated with women, eating disorders do not discriminate and also occur in men. In fact, one in three individuals with eating disorders is male. Furthermore, disordered eating behaviors such as restriction, binging, purging, and laxative abuse are almost as prevalent among men as they are in women. Such behaviors are considered subclinical or not yet severe enough to cause symptoms requiring clinical treatment, yet can cause serious damage to one’s health. Men and women alike are at risk for disordered eating behaviors as well as all types of eating disorders, including anorexia , avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) , binge eating disorder (BED) , bulimia , diabulimia , and orthorexia. Because of the widespread misperception that women are more likely to experience eating disorders, these complex and potentially fatal conditions are underdiagnosed and undertreated among men.
Anorexia is characterized by dangerous calorie restriction that can lead to severe malnutrition among other health complications. Of individuals with anorexia, 25% are male. Frequently diagnosed with anorexia in its later, more severe stages, men face a higher risk of dying from the health consequences of anorexia.
ARFID is a condition that involves avoidance of certain foods due to sensory elements such as texture or color. Those with ARFID may also avoid food due to fear of experiencing pain or discomfort while eating. Individuals with ARFID are more likely to be children or adolescents and males.
Those with BED generally engage in food binging episodes in which they feel a loss of control. Following these episodes, individuals often feel intense shame. The most common eating disorder among both men and women, binge eating disorder affects 2% of men and 36% of those with BED are male.
Characterized by binge eating episodes similar to those of BED, bulimia also typically involves purging behaviors, such as self-induced vomiting and laxative abuse. This condition affects .5% of men.
While not an official medical diagnosis, diabulimia is widely recognized by providers as a way to describe when individuals with insulin-dependent diabetes engage in disordered eating behaviors, including binge eating and compensatory behaviors to “offset” their food consumption. Commonly, these individuals also restrict their insulin intake which impedes their bodies’ ability to process carbohydrates. One-sixth of males with type one diabetes report engaging in both disordered eating and frequent insulin restriction.
Like diabulimia, orthorexia isn’t an official clinical diagnosis, but the term is broadly used by professionals to describe a hazardous preoccupation with “healthy” or “clean” eating in a way that degrades one’s health and quality of life. Without specific diagnostic criteria, it’s difficult for health professionals to ascertain the exact number of individuals affected by orthorexia. In clinical practice at Thrive Wellness, however, men obtain eating disorder treatment for orthorexia more often than many other eating disorders.
Many of the same factors that contribute to eating disorders in women can also lead to eating disorders in men. These include:
Male eating disorders are underdiagnosed and undertreated largely due to stigmas surrounding men and mental and behavioral health . Some of these misleading narratives include:
The deceptive information surrounding male eating disorders is dangerous. Without early diagnosis and treatment, eating disorders can result in severe health consequences and even death. Compared to women, men are more at risk for mortality from eating disorders, as they are more likely to obtain care for eating disorders in their later stages.
When men are diagnosed with eating disorders, many feel uncomfortable receiving care as their close connections outside of treatment may have trouble understanding their condition. However, men should keep in mind that their struggle is absolutely valid and recovery is entirely possible. Integrated treatment that involves physical, mental, and behavioral health care can help men heal their relationships with food, their bodies, and themselves for lasting recovery.
Thrive’s eating disorder treatment specialists include psychiatrists, therapists, registered dietitians, and primary care providers who collaborate on clients’ care to help them heal the root causes of their eating disorder and guide them in nourishing their whole selves. Reach out to learn more about our eating disorder treatment programs .
The post Eating Disorders in Men: Prevalence, Harmful Stigmas, and Recovery first appeared on Thrive Wellness.
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