How many males have eating disorders?
The numbers seem to be increasing. Twenty years ago it was thought that for every 10-15 women with anorexia or bulimia, there was one man. Today researchers find that for every four females with anorexia, there is one male, and for every 8-11 females with bulimia, there is one male. (American Journal of Psychiatry 2001. 158: 570-574). Binge eating disorder seems to occur almost equally in males and females, although males are not as likely to feel guilty or anxious after a binge as women are sure to do. Clinics and counselors see many more females than males, but that may be because males are reluctant to confess having what has become known as a “women’s problem.” Also, health professionals do not expect to see eating disorders in males and may therefore under-diagnose them. Are the risk factors for males any different than the ones for females? Risk factors for males include the following: They were fat or overweight as children. They have been dieting. Dieting is one of the most pow
