Men have Eating disorders too

In a society that is constantly changing in many aspects, issues related to gender have become one of today's greatest challenges. In this sense, we can talk about a problem that has been closely associated with women, which is an eating disorder. When we think of bulimia, anorexia, or weight obsession, the image of a girl or woman comes to mind. What about men, does it happen to them? Is it common? Do men have eating disorders?   The short answer is YES! Join me as we get more insight on this topic. Eating disorders occur among all ages and genders. According to sources (1), men represent up to 10% of people treated for eating disorders, while the LGBTIQ+ community is supposedly the most affected, that is, gay, bisexual, and trans men. However, this number is believed to be higher as the disorder is often overlooked, or misdiagnosed because men are more likely not to seek treatment out of embarrassment.  In a study conducted on a college campus, it was found that 1 in 3 students with eating disorders was male. Research data indicates that about 0.3% of men will experience anorexia, 0.5% will experience bulimia, and 2% will experience binge eating disorders in their lifetime. Also, as a confirmation of the above, men constitute 40% of people diagnosed with binge eating disorder. I think it is necessary to provide generalities about eating disorders, to understand this problem (1, 2). What is Eating Disorder? An eating disorder is an alteration in eating behavior that affects the individual physically, psychologically, and socially. Eating disorders are known to affect 5% of the general population, which includes men and women worldwide, with adolescents and young adults being the most affected. These disorders are associated with stress, anxiety, weight, and food or image perception. Correspondingly, actions related to eating disorders may include:   Not eating Overeating Purging Vomiting Exercising too much Overusing laxatives (3). Interestingly, these disorders seem to occur along with other psychiatric problems, including anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and alcohol and drug abuse problems. Furthermore, genes and heritability may also be implicated to have a certain predisposition. But it can happen to anyone, with or without other risk factors.   Types of eating disorders There are many types of eating disorders that affect men. Examples are; anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, muscle dysmorphia, pica, and rumination disorder. With these, I think it is crucial to briefly discuss the most common ones that affect both men and women. Anorexia Anorexia causes constant starvation and weight loss resulting in a low body mass index (BMI) of 18.5 in an adult. This disorder has the highest mortality of any psychiatric diagnosis after opioid use. In addition, men and boys with anorexia often have low levels of testosterone and vitamin D, with a high risk of osteopenia and osteoporosis. Anorexia is accompanied by a great fear of gaining weight and feeling fat, regardless of how thin you are. Bulimia  It is a severe and life-threatening eating disorder. Bulimics may binge, eat a lot without any control, and then purge or vomit. This weight loss approach can permanently damage your teeth after throwing up every day or cause damage to your gut flora due to excess purging. Fasting, crash diets, or excessive exercise can be included in bulimia (4).   Binge eating It is very common among men. This disorder is related to the rapid consumption of large amounts of food without control and not doing anything afterward to compensate for the excessive intake, such as vomiting, fasting, or purging. Binge eating leads to chronic problems such as diabetes, obesity, and hypertension.  Like other eating disorders, binge eating makes a person feel sad, depressed, and miserable (3). Since body dissatisfaction plays a major role in eating disorders, men with these problems often exercise a lot until it can be considered an addiction. Here, we can mention muscle dysmorphia which is defined as a sick concern, as it is thought that the body is not muscular or thin enough and which mainly affects male bodybuilders obsessed with having the proper musculature. However, we must agree that the misperception of the male body is not limited to bodybuilders alone. For example, 25% of normal-weight men think they are underweight, and 90% of adolescents exercise with the intent of bulking up. The main problem with muscle dysmorphia is that sufferers spend long hours in the gym, waste money on supplements, have abnormal eating patterns, and use steroids (2).   Possible treatments Men with eating disorders are less likely to seek help due to stigmas and gender issues. A positive approach is that doctors and psychiatrists help their patients understand and be open to different treatments. That includes the study of psychological, behavioural, and nutritional problems. In addition, they should study other medical complications that arise after malnutrition and purging behaviors, which can include cardiac and gastrointestinal problems. Also, denial of the eating disorder and feeling depressed or confused are common. Hence, seeking psychological and psychiatric help is necessary. It is worth noting that the most difficult eating disorder to overcome is food addiction, as eating is part of everyday life and essential for living (5). Conclusion Eating disorders are crucial issues that need maximum attention in men like other populations. Consequently, men are affected by various eating disorders ranging from anorexia to muscle dysmorphia. As society moves toward a more mindful world, men with eating disorders need to get the necessary treatment. If you are a man going through this, please, look for help, and know that you are not alone.   Written by: Jose Moises Sanchez Amaya