Filmmaker Travis Matthews had the inspiration to make a documentary about gay men, body image, and eating disorders in 2005, when he was struggling with an eating disorder. Matthews had a difficult time finding treatment for his eating disorder - a problem experienced by many men with extreme eating behaviors. Treatment programs are traditionally geared toward women. Matthews commented about his search for help, "It just seemed like nothing was out there."

Matthews' film, "Do I Look Fat?" is rooted in his desire to help others. He holds a master's degree in counseling psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies, but has placed his counseling career on hold to produce the film. He feels that it is the best way to reach out to other men who struggle with eating disorders. Matthews hopes to counter stereotypes within the gay community about how men should look, either very skinny or obese.

He comments on his expectations for the film's impact, saying, "My hope is that this will happen within the gay community-a grassroots sort of thing where people start talking to each other. ... I hope the gay community in general is maturing in a way to be healthier. The time is right for more treatments and open discussions to be available." (Source: media.www.thelantern.com)

Labels: awareness, men

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New statistics provided by Butterfly Foundation, an eating disorder support, indicate that 25 percent of Australian children with anorexia are boys. This is a significant increase that has prompted calls for the government to take eating disorders among males more seriously.

"...these young guys are getting more involved with what I would call significant disordered eating, self harm behaviors, high risk behaviors, excessive exercise, purging and those types of behaviors which very much go with bulimic activity."

The Australian government has acknowledged the problem not only of increased eating disorders but also of emaciated body images that have become popular in the media. Australia's Youth Minister has been tasked with creating a voluntary code for the media to regulate the images it portrays. Source: ABC News Australia

Labels: manorexia, men

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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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British mannequin maker Rootstein has churned up the “thin” debate with announcement of his latest creations; including a male mannequin whose waist in 11 inches smaller than that of the average Briton.

“BEAT chief executive and eating disorder expert Susan Ringwood told Reuters that skinny male mannequins in shop windows can have just as unhealthy an influence on men as their female counterparts have on women.” [Source: Reuters]

Though they’ve been overlooked in the past, males with eating disorders are finally starting to get some much-needed attention. Official statistics about men with eating disorders indicate that about 1 percent of the population is affected by these disorders, as well as poor body image, and unhealthy levels of physical activity. Many experts believe the number is likely much higher.

 

Labels: media, fashion, men, influences

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Last year, actor Dennis Quaid admitted that he had struggled for years with anorexia. His shocking confession opened the door for other men – young and old – to come forward and admit they needed help, too.

“Recent studies show that men account for up to 15 percent of those with eating disorders, yet men account for very few patients in treatment. Less than three per cent of referrals to B.C.’s [British Columbia’s] eating disorders program at St. Paul’s Hospital are male, according to Paul Gallant, a leader of mental health programs for Providence Health.” Source: The Edmonton Journal]

Unfortunately, even when men do come forward and admit needing help, few treatment options are available to them. Still, help for men with eating disorders is available -- and anyone (male or female) who is struggling with anorexia, bulimia, binge eating or related conditions needs to know that professional help can lead them back to health.

 

Labels: awareness, men

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