the skinny elephant

addressing the elephant in the room.

Man, I feel like a Woman

Watching many strong women that I love and care for go through the struggles of overcoming an eating disorder has been one of the most challenging things I have experienced in my life to date. One recurring feature of my experiences has been the question, “why them, why not me?” Disturbed by this seemingly large imbalance between women and men experiencing eating disorders, I decided to investigate it further.

Thirty minutes of research was all I needed to realise that we have a massive problem on our hands. That’s right – eating disorders aren’t exclusively a female disease. The assumptions I held, and most likely the assumptions of many others currently reading this post, are just plain wrong. Dudes experience eating disorders as well.

Here are some of the hard facts:

  • Out of all the Aussies who are currently experiencing an eating disorder, 1 in 3 of them are men.
  • Men are at a higher risk of dying from eating disorders compared to women.
  • Men make up 40% of those aged 11-17 who eat disorderedly.
  • Men make up 40% of those who struggle with Binge Eating Disorder.
  • Men make up 1 in 4 of those struggling with Anorexia.
  • Men make up 1 in 4 of those struggling with Bulimia.

If this is the case, then why is it that myself and many others think that eating disorders only affect women?

Two likely reasons are that men are less likely to seek treatment for eating disorders because we face stigma for:

  1. having a disorder that is typically characterised as feminine, and
  2. seeking psychological help.

A third more striking reason is the fact that diagnostic assessment tests are heavily geared towards women. Not only this, but the vast majority of studies on eating disorders have routinely excluded men, resulting in a massive gap in info out there about the nature of disordered eating in males when compared to females.

It’s not all dull and gloom for us blokes though – luckily some likeminded people have already caught on and have published the following on male-specific disordered eating and eating disorders:

Muscle Dysmorphia

  • Muscle dysmorphia is a subtype of body dysmorphic disorder.
  • It’s a condition that mostly affects men.
  • People with muscle dysmorphia obsess about being adequately muscular.
  • Compulsions include:
    • spending hours in the gym
    • spending excessive amounts of money on supplements
    • abnormal eating patterns
    • use of steroids
  • Muscle dysmorphia is not an eating disorder – it is an anxiety disorder; however, it tends to exist alongside an eating disorder.

Body Dissatisfaction in Men

  • Almost one-third of Aussie men are dissatisfied with their body.
  • The number of men experiencing body image dissatisfaction has tripled from 15% to 45% in the last 25 years.

Warning Signs in Men

A male who is suffering from an eating disorder may present with some of the following signs/symptoms:

  1. Preoccupation with bodybuilding, weightlifting, or muscle training
  2. Missing social events for the gym
  3. Using anabolic steroids
  4. Obsession with being adequately muscular
  5. Behaviours focussed on food preparation and planning, e.g., obsessive meal planning and preparing, and/or reading nutritional labels
  6. Eating behaviours might include:
    • consuming large amounts of protein in various forms to increase muscle density, and/or binge eating in prep for periods of restriction so one can maintain muscle density without gaining weight
    • counting calories, counting macros, or replacing meals with fluids
    • restrictive eating behaviours e.g., eliminating certain food groups and/or skipping meals
    • bingeing and/or and purging
  7. Actively seeking reassurance about their body
  8. Fear of gaining weight
  9. Excessive or compulsive exercise patterns e.g., exercising when sick or injured, and/or exhibiting distress if unable to exercise
  10. Decreased interest in sex and/or fears around sex
  11. Possible conflict over gender identity or sexual orientation
  12. Social avoidance and isolation

Now fellas, if you think that you’re in need of some help, go and have a chat to the Butterfly Foundation – they are very much aware that dudes experience eating disorders as well.

Although I will never be able to understand what it is like to suffer from an eating disorder, I have seen through close friends and family that recovery is possible and worth it.

Harry Hamblin

Information was taken from:

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