.anred.com). Binge eating disorder seems to occur almost equally in males and females, although males are not as likely to feel guilty or anxious after a binge as women do. It is difficult to known exactly how many males have bulimia. Some researchers believe about 15% of all cases of this disorder occurs in men. Clinics and counselors see many more females than males, but that may be because males are reluctant to confess what has become known as a “teenage girl’s problem.” My health professionals do not expect to see eating disorders in men and may therefore misdiagnose them.Are the risk factors any different for males than they are for females? Risk factors for males include the following: They were overweight as children. They have been dieting. Dieting is one of the most powerful eating disorder triggers for both males and females, (ANRED). They participate in a sport that demands thinness. Runners and jockeys are at a higher risk than football players and weight lifters. Wrestlers who try to shed pounds quickly before a match so they can compete in a lower weight category seem to be at high risk. Body builders are at risk if they deplete body fat fluid reserves to achieve high definition. They have job or profession that demands thinness like models and actors. So males are members of the gay community where men are judged on physical appearance. Male patients are usually more active, have more sexual anxiety, have fewer bulimic episodes, with less vomiting or laxative abuse, and have a more preoccupation with food and weight.Differences in disorders between males and females.Males often begin and eating disorder at older ages then females do, and they more often have history of obesity or are overweight. Men are also made up to be strong and powerful, to build their bodies and make them large so they can compete successfully, and defend and protect, their skinny female companion. When women are asked what they w...
