When we think of Eating Disorders we typically think of females. Depending on the study, about

90 percent of people with an eating disorder are women or girls. What is not mentioned or is ignored is that about 10 percent of people with eating disorders are males. There was a study that showed that male athletes with eating disorders number about one in five, or about 20 percent. The percentage can range depending on the study. There tends to be an underrepresentation of men in research on eating disorders.

What is an eating disorder?

It is a general term that refers to abnormal eating behavior that ultimately affects the person physically, mentally, or both. It includes a variety of mental health issues, some of which include anorexia nervosa, bulimia, binge eating disorder, and avoidant restrictive food intake disorder, to name a few.

How do males fit in here?

Many males are involved in sports that are sensitive to weight. People involved in wrestling, boxing, martial arts, etc. are frequently pressured to rapidly drop to a lighter weight, or to gain weight. They have to meet the rules for the class in which they participate. They want that weight advantage. They are therefore tempted or encouraged to engage in unhealthy weight — control behaviors and muscle enhancing behaviors, both at the same time.

Another group includes men who are getting older and into their midlife. Like it or not they tend to gain weight. The reasons are many. There could be medical issues, changes in their life such as marriage, divorce, retirement, etc. These things can result in an undesired change in their body image, which some may look at as a loss of masculinity. They want to be like they were in their twenties or maybe thirties, but that is not in the cards. They want to be thin, they want to be masculine, and in their mind they want to see themselves as a force to be reckoned with. This can lead to problematic exercise, and/or some type of unhealthy restrictive food intake. The goal is to decrease body fat and increase masculinity. There is the stereotype of the lean muscular ideal body which leads to dissatisfaction with their own body. Disordered eating and muscle enhancing behavior can become a preoccupation.

Another source of eating disorders in men is the media. Once again, it suggests that the lean muscular body is the norm. This is a particular influence on young men. One way that they can compete with each other is with body image. They are not necessarily building their muscles to impress women, a lot of it has to do with impressing other men.

Yet another source of eating disorders in males can be their parents. Parents frequently pressure their children, who may be overweight, to lose weight. They may even use derogatory comments that basically involve the word fat. The impact oft hose words can last a lifetime.

Another issue with parents is the parent’s own eating habits. They may eat a lot but tell their sons to quit stuffing their faces. If the parents eat too much and themselves are overweight, they might not say anything to their son about how much he eats, but his friends may well say something.

Friends can have a big influence on a male developing an eating disorder. If a fellow’s friends engage in sports they probably talk about it. That type of conversation is frequent among young men. An adult male may also encounter some other type of peer pressure to try to keep up his physical appearance. This type of suggestion or comment can contribute to developing disordered eating. If a close friend makes a negative comment about their weight or how much they eat, the humiliation can result in that increased drive to be thin. Body talk among males is an obvious contributor that can lead to body dissatisfaction.

These are just a few psychological factors that can contribute to a male developing an eating disorder. There are many more. With all the attention focused on females, men may think that they are somehow immune. A man may have developed a stereotype with which he compares himself. It is not uncommon that that stereotype is not realistic. All you have to do is use some common sense, take care of yourself, and you will probably look just fine.

— Dr. Joseph Switras provides clinical psychological services at United Health District in Fairmont to people age 5 and up.