When you hear about eating disorders, you probably think of them affecting women and girls; however, while they are more prevalent among females, they also affect males. Research remains ongoing in this field.
Eating disorders
Eating disorders are among the deadliest mental health conditions. They can take a number of different forms, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder. Among the effects of eating disorders is their impact on essential organs, particularly the heart.
Training is necessary to work with men and boys suffering from eating disorders. If this is a field that interests you, find out what is available in your area; for example, a search engine term such as ‘mental health training courses Milton Keynes’ will produce results such as https://www.tidaltraining.co.uk/mental-health-training-courses/milton-keynes/.
The effects on men and boys
For a long time, research focused on women and girls. The prevalence amongst men and boys was not recognised, as eating disorders often manifest differently. Eating disorders often manifest around an ideal body image, which for females tends to be very thin. For males, it is more likely to be lean and muscular, which can lead to boys and men over-consuming protein while not getting enough carbs and fats in their diet. They may also use supplements and drugs to build muscle while engaging in excessive exercise.
With many treatment programs focused on female patients, it can be hard for males to be effectively treated. Additionally, with the public perception of eating disorders focusing on females, males will need to overcome that stigma to seek treatment.
