Many people mistakenly believe that eating disorders were believed affect only Caucasian women. Little research was done on men or women of various races and ethnic backgrounds. Today, though, research results document the degree to which eating disorders and body image concerns impact men and women across racial and ethnic lines.

For example, examiner.com reports the following about bulimia among African American adults:

Research has been conducted on African Americans that showed that they are more prone to the eating disorder bulimia nervosa. Bulimia is not easily detectable at a glance because those who are bulimic are able to maintain their weight, but they do not maintain their food.

Additional studies are also finding an increasing number of men being affected by eating disorders, often in conjunction with obsessive levels of exercise.

To summarize: Regardless of a person's gender, racial background or ethnic history, eating disorders remain a very real (and very dangerous) threat.

Labels: body image, bulimia, epidemic

Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton