Eating disorders are not just a female illness

We need to adjust the lens through which we view eating disorders and refocus it to include all the unseen people including males, or sadly more cases will slip through the net.

It is estimated that 25% of eating disorder cases are boys or men, yet their voices are not being listened to enough and are often muted by stigma, stereotype and fear. There is still the huge misconception among a proportion of society that eating disorders only affect girls and women. It can take up to three times longer for male sufferers to be referred for specialist treatment, which is a shocking reflection of the lack of awareness and education surrounding this illness, despite some male celebrities coming forward to talk on TV and in podcast to try to open up the much needed conversation and remove some of the taboos. The statistics agency NHS digital reported that cases of hospital admissions in boys doubled from 2010 to 2018, this is surely a sign that urgent action needs to be taken.

The social media pressure on boys and men has gained significant momentum over recent years and further intensified over lockdown when screen use and disconnection through lack of face to face contact increased. For boys the idealised images are different from those experienced by girls, portraying fit and healthy as the look to strive for, rather than skinny.  Celebrities and sports stars that they may idolise are depicted as strong and muscular, however these images are often photoshopped representing an unobtainable physique.

The triggers for eating disorders are multifactorial, and some of these vary between male and female sufferers. Boys may have been bullied about their size by peers, planting the initial seeds of self doubt. Sports that require inordinate weight control may be a risk factor for some who could feel pressured to train harder or for longer to achieve their perceived perfection.

Intense periods of pressure from exams or work, which can seem unbearable can also push males into eating disorder behaviours. The emotional strain of illness or loss of a loved one can also be a trigger for someone who is predisposed to an eating disorder.

Many men and boys begin their descent into a full blown eating disorders by working out with the initial goal of increased fitness, however the exercise may become compulsive alongside the restriction of food. It can be harder to diagnose eating disorders in males especially in the early stages as they may present as fit and strong, but the psychological signs will be apparent to a specialist.

The perception that eating disorders are still a predominantly female illness can create barriers to men seeking treatment. Once they have made the incredibly brave step to reach out for help it is imperative that they are properly listened to and their feelings acknowleged to prevent their illness perpetuating further. Eating disorders can be fatal so the consequences of men not getting treatment are severely dangerous.

We need to shine a light on this crisis that is bubbling fiercely below many people’s radar to help protect these boys and men from these complex mental illnesses.

References

The statistics agency NHS digital.

BEAT How many people in the UK have an eating disorder.