The rise of eating disorders in men - male health vic

Eating disorders are a very serious matter which is all too common in the UK. Often arising from a discomfort with one?s own body and a perception that it does not fit into a social norm, these disorders are psychologically based and can be tough to deal with. Though eating disorders of this kind are more often thought of as concerning women, they can also affect men in the same way.

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Eating disorders can not only create increased anxiety about one?s appearance but they can be extremely harmful to our health. Treating eating disorders is not only a matter of dealing one on one with those who suffer from them but about addressing the wider issues which are leading people to such extreme measures.

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What is an eating disorder?

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The term ?eating disorder? can refer to the consumption of either too much or too little food. Usually when we speak about eating disorders, we are addressing the attitude of an individual towards an eating habit. Disorders vary hugely and each is often unique, though we can recognise three of the most common

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1. Anorexia nervosa

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Anorexia nervosa is characterised by either under-eating or over-exercising with the intention of losing weight. This is often linked to a misconception of one?s own body weight and a wish to achieve a slim figure.

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Each patient?s experience will vary but this is a condition which is commonly linked to the media?s portrayal of beauty as lying in a slim figure. Both the fashion and media industries have received heavy criticism in the past for favouring slim figures, with actions taken to achieve a more balanced perspective.

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2. Binge eating

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Binge eating is exemplified by a compulsion to eat more than is necessary, often with a view to gaining weight. Just as women are often portrayed as requiring a slim figure, males are often encouraged to gain body mass in order to adopt a muscular figure. From a social perspective, it is binge eating that is more likely to affect males while females might be more likely to develop anorexia nervosa or bulimia.

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3. Bulimia

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In simple terms, bulimia involves periods of binge eating followed by forced vomiting or bowel emptying. Due to its more extreme methodology, bulimia has featured quite heavily in the public eye over recent years. Just as with anorexia, those suffering from bulimia are commonly trying to control their weight in an attempt to achieve a certain body size or shape; though the condition is around five times more common than anorexia.

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Treatment

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As with most psychological troubles, treatment of eating disorders is something which needs to be done on an individual basis. Generally, Dietitians recommend that a healthy and balanced diet is used as a preventative measure ? making use of exercise to change body shape if one wishes to do so. Those looking for Dietitian Jobs will therefore need to have a thorough understanding of dietary requirements and issues in order to give individuals the correct advice and guidance and may come across eating disorders in any number of their patients.

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In treatment of existing disorders, a course of medication, cognitive behavioural therapy or counselling are among the most common solutions. Consulting a health professional is always advisable and should be the first course of action for those who fear they are suffering from an eating disorder.

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Sources:

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Eating-disorders/Pages/Introduction.aspx

Source: http://malehealthvic.org/the-rise-of-eating-disorders-in-men/

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