{"id":8145,"date":"2015-04-07T20:45:57","date_gmt":"2015-04-07T17:45:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lifeadvancer.com\/?p=8145"},"modified":"2015-04-07T20:45:57","modified_gmt":"2015-04-07T17:45:57","slug":"eating-disorders-in-men-causes-effects-and-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lifeadvancer.com\/eating-disorders-in-men-causes-effects-and-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"Eating Disorders in Men: Causes, Effects and Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"

When it comes to anorexia, bulimia and other disorders, we tend to think of them as a female issue.<\/h2>\n

And while it’s true that girls and young women are more likely to suffer from eating disorders, men are not immune to these conditions.<\/p>\n

In fact, males make up as many as 10% of all reported eating disorders, with those numbers rising all the time.<\/p>\n

And since more and more boys and young men are experiencing the effects of these disorders, it’s time to pay closer attention to this phenomena.<\/p>\n

Keep reading to learn more about eating disorders in men, including information on causes, symptoms and available treatment options.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Why Men Develop Eating Disorders<\/h3>\n

Young men develop eating disorders in much the same way as their female counterparts. A dissatisfaction with one’s appearance can lead to a host of psychological issues, some of which can result in the development of anorexia, bulimia and other disorders.<\/p>\n

Body dysmorphic disorder, for example, is an illness characterized by obsessive thoughts about one’s appearance and is just as prevalent in men as it is in women.<\/p>\n

Young men who suffer from body dysmorphic disorder typically have obsessive thoughts about their appearance and may go to great lengths to control factors like caloric intake and exercise.<\/p>\n

In turn, this desire to control appearance can lead to the development of an eating disorder.<\/p>\n

In addition to an obsession with appearance and perceived flaws, factors like low self-esteem, perfectionism, feelings of helplessness, and the inability to express or handle emotions can all contribute to the development of eating disorders in young men.<\/p>\n

Also, many young people with eating disorders feel pressured to look a certain way, which can result in an unhealthy obsession with food, exercise, and overall body image.<\/p>\n

Which Disorders are Most Common in Men?<\/h3>\n

Although anorexia and bulimia aren’t exclusive to females, a disorder known as binge-eating is most prevalent among males.<\/p>\n

Young men with binge-eating disorder eat large amounts of food in a short amount of time, and may also hoard food, eat in secret, and eat until they are uncomfortably full.<\/p>\n

This illness can be quite severe, and, in some cases, even life-threatening. For example, in addition to obesity<\/a><\/span> and depression, binge-eating can increase the risks associated with heart disease, type 2 diabetes and even certain types of cancer.<\/p>\n

Treating Eating Disorders in Men<\/h3>\n

Eating disorder treatment for men can involve a number of methods and approaches, some of which include the following:<\/p>\n