Eating Disorders
in Men
Eating disorders are not limited to women. Anorexia,
bulimia, and related eating disorders are becoming more
common in men. In the past, men have not been under as much
pressure as women to conform to the slim figures of models
appearing on television and in magazines. But, in more
recent years pressure has been placed on men to pursue the
"perfect" body. More and more men are heading to fitness
centres to lift weights, obsessing about muscle definition
and their looks.
Although there are some differences, the main causes of
eating disorders in men are the same as those seen in
women. Often, there are underlying issues such as low
self-esteem, distorted body image, being overweight at a
child, or the fear of becoming fat.
Unfortunately, men with eating disorders are reluctant to
seek professional counselling as they are afraid of
accepting that they are suffering from what has been
labeled as a woman's disease.
