Despite the number of men with eating disorders continuing to rise, men with eating disorders feel invisible and unable to seek professional help, according to research by the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM).
SLaM Clinical Psychologist Dr Victoria Mountford and her co-researchers at Canterbury Christ Church University, found that men with eating disorders felt alone and worried about the stigma surrounding male eating disorders.
It is now estimated that at least 10 per cent of binge eaters, anorexics and bulimia sufferers are male. Interestingly, rates of eating disorders among men are on the rise, whereas rates among women have remained largely the same over the last 10 years.
The stigma around males and body image means males find it even harder to acknowledge they have an eating disorder and seek help. Males showing signs of eating disorders are less likely to be recognised and diagnosed by professionals including GPs and psychiatrists.
To coincide with London Fashion Week, SLaM has contributed a piece on the rise of eating disorders among men to Nutrition Rocks, a lifestyle and celebrity website that aims to improve nutrition and body image among young people.
This London Fashion Week, media attention has zeroed-in on the so-called ‘size zero debate’. Models and eating disorders, and the unrealistic body image promoted by the fashion industry, is nothing new.
What is different is that the fashion industry’s obsession with body weight is no longer confined to women. Men, and in particular male models, are increasingly aspiring to unrealistic, unobtainable and unhealthy body shapes.
The article cites the research of Dr Mountford and colleagues, who spent a great deal of time talking to men suffering eating and body image problems.
“The men we spoke to had found it difficult to admit to themselves and others that their eating behaviours were problematic and that they needed some support. This meant that many of the men waited a considerable amount of time before seeking help.”
Hala El-Shafie, Specialist Dietician and co-founder of Nutrition Rocks, agreed with Dr Mountford’s research.
“The greatest challenge surrounding body image issues and eating disorders in men, is that men historically find it difficult to share and discuss emotional issues they may be facing. Sadly, disordered eating behaviour and distorted body image is becoming increasingly prevalent in males,” Hala said.
