Male Anorexia
Male Anorexia May Be More Common Than You Think
Is male anorexia really more commonplace than we would believe? The answer is yes. True, the majority of people suffering from anorexia are women, and the number of anorexic women outnumber anorexic men by about 5 to 1. It has long been assumed though that the ratio was closed to 10 to 1. What is somewhat puzzling, is why are so many men, who generally are trying to put on pounds rather than take them off, suffering from anorexia?
Part of the answer to the question of male anorexia, is that males, particularly young males, have self-image problems, just as many young women do. Where women want to be slender or willowy, as many models and TV stars are, men are attracted to the slender and chiseled look of the male models in men's magazines and men's clothing catalogs. Men don't want to look thin necessarily, but want to shed every excess pound that is not muscle. Well defined muscles are the dream, and excessive exercise and unhealthy eating habits, unfortunately are the paths taken by some to achieve that look.
Another reason for male anorexia, also based on self-esteem, is the athletic person who, often because of injury, cannot continue with the regimen of exercise they have become used to. When that happens, they begin to put on weight, and in an effort to reverse the process, some men take to eating far less than they should. As is the case with women, even when they are losing weight, they still "feel fat" and continue to lose more, to the point where it becomes obsessive. One of the problems that men often face, and women do not, is that men normally have a lower percentage of body fat than women, and when men lose excessive weight they lose muscle, while women are losing mainly fat. Losing muscle is far more detrimental to health than is losing fat, and male anorexia can therefore carry with it more severe consequences.
Signs of male anorexia are very often the same as is the case with women. The anorexic person often suffers from poor self image and depression. They exhibit obsessive-compulsive behavior, and are often seen as striving for perfection. As the disease progresses, the anorexic will continue to lose body weight, may find it difficult to take meals with others, and may begin to withdraw from other people. Medical disorders often start to appear, as organs in the body begin to function abnormally due to starvation.
Treatment for male anorexia is similar to that for female anorexia, and usually starts with overcoming symptoms of denial and getting to the root of the problem, which is often psychological. Treatment under the care of a professional is nearly always necessary, unless the patient recognizes the problem, and is determined to help himself. Support of family and friends can often be critical in reaching a happy outcome.