9 times out of 10 it is women and young girls that are commonly associated with eating disorders. There are a number of reasons why women in particular turn to methods like purging and starvation: many have a warped sense of body image, want to achieve their idea of the “perfect body” are simply want to mimic the figures of their favorite supermodels. However, there is a huge piece missing from the puzzle when it comes to eating disorders: men. Believe it or not, there are a number of men and young boys that also struggle with this issue.

For years no one associated men with conditions like anorexia or bulimia and even medical professionals missed the signs and symptoms. However, with time and studies the truth about men and eating disorders is slowly but surely becoming public knowledge. According to a study conducted with adolescent boys in the 1990s, 12% – 21% reported a history of binge eating. More recent studies show that men and women alike tend to exhibit similar signs and symptoms related to eating disorders.

It is often much easier for men and young boys than females to disguise the signs of bulimia or anorexia, which makes it more difficult for friends, family and doctors to effectively diagnose them.

What might come as a surprise are some of the common reasons why men feel the compulsion to turn to eating disorders. Studies show that there is a strong link between career choice and the pressure to be thin. Common examples of career choices that drive men and young boys to purge and/or starve themselves include fashion modeling, dancing, gymnastics and horse jockeying, among a few others. The duties required of these careers calls for slim bodies and lighter weight. The desire to become successful in any of these occupations is often enough motivation for men to resort to drastic measures. Fear of failure also plays a factor. If they cannot meet the strict requirements, then they will easily be replaced by someone else.

Because men are not typically open to being expressive with others, hiding their eating disorder becomes much easier. If you know of a young man that is involved in any of these professions or if you feel that someone in your life may be suffering from an eating disorder like bulimia or anorexia, it is important to seek professional help immediately. The sooner the eating disorder can be diagnosed and treated, the more likely they will be to recover. If you yourself have an eating disorder it is in your best interest to seek treatment. Having the support of friends and family is a great way to tackle this issue as well. It is also important to realize that you are not the only person going through this tough time.      

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