Eating Disorders Blog

Recent reports indicate that rates of male anorexia are on the rise in the United Kingdom, possibly fueled by the recent global economic recession.

Professor Hubert Lacey, who runs the eating disorder unit at St George's Hospital in London, has seen the number of male referrals double in the past few years. "These are just my observations, and because the numbers are so small statistics can be misleading, but I think there has been a cultural change," he said. "The recession is a factor because, when jobs are under threat, people think more about how they present themselves."

Related to male anorexia is another kind of male eating disorder called dysmorphia, or "bigorexia," in which males relentlessly pursue the development of bigger muscles. Recent research indicates that about 17 percent of males are currently dieting, and that steroid abuse and exercise disorders are increasing in young males.

Experts believe that the onset of an eating disorder in males is usually due to a specific trigger or set of triggers, including childhood bullying, emotional abuse, difficulties with sexual identity, and extreme parental strictness (especially from a father).

(Source: www.streetcorner.com)

Labels: eating disorder, manorexia, bigorexia

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This week, Examiner.com published the story of Mark Bergstrom. Bergstrom, a 25-year-old marketing executive from Maryland, sought treatment for anorexia nervosa after dropping from his normal weight of 145 pounds to 108 pounds. Bergstrom believes that his eating disorder originated during his senior year of college. As a serious lacrosse player and self-described perfectionist, Bergstrom was devastated when his coach and mentor died in an accident and Bergstrom sustained injuries which kept him from playing in the final match of his senior year.

He remembers deciding to drink more and eat less as a way to control the chaos in his life. However, it wasn't until a couple of years later that Bergstrom sought formal help, after his weight got dangerously low. He realized that although he could control his urge to drink, he could not control his severe aversion to food. Now recovered, Bergstrom speaks out about men and eating disorders. In particular, he says, the most important step for any guy who thinks he may have an eating disorder is to "just tell someone."

According to the nonprofit organization Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders, Inc. (ANRED), anorexia currently affects one male for every four females. (Source: Examiner.com)

Labels: manorexia, bigorexia, men

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