Dudes and eating disorders
June 15, 2008 by angelique
Filed under Women's Health
For men, it’s just not “cool” to have an eating disorder.
I mean, it’s not exactly hip for gals, either, but when you hear of a female with an ED, you are more apt to think, “Oh, I’m not surprised.”
But a guy… well, that’s just unusual.
According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), there are an estimated 1 million American males out there suffering from anorexia, bulimia, EDNOS and/or binge eating disorder.
Honestly, though, I’ve never met a man with an eating disorder. Never. No anorexics, no bulimics. None.
I’m wondering… have you?
I met a male anorexic in the hospital. He weighed less than I did at my lowest, and was taller than me. It was truly a terrible sight. I heard the nurses saying he might not make it (but I left before he did, so I don’t know what happened to him).
He’s the only one I’ve ever met though. I imagine males are much less willing to bring it up for fear of being seen as effeminate or something.
Yah, I have. A bunch actually. My guess is that you have too, you just don’t realize it.
Yes, i have. I myself have an eating disorder. One actually asked me about it, and thats how i found out he did. I was at camp, (i’m 15) and i met a guy. We became pretty close, friendship wise. One day he came up to me and was like “this may sound crazy, but are you bulimic?” at first i denyed it, but later on i admitted i was. Turns out, he was too. =/
I’ve met a few other guys who suffer from an ED, but that has just been my most recent encounter.
I am a 46-year old man and I have had eating disorder for the last 14 years (bullemia). I have had treatment (many years ago), but it has never gone away. It has gotten much worse in the past year. Co-workers, some friends and family are now telling me I need to gain weight because they think I am too thin (I weigh 135 pounds and am 5′ 10″ tall). Most people don’t know of my ED.
You are right that there are few men who are open about their ED. It is a difficult subject to talk about for everyone, but particularly men. As it happens, I am gay – probably not a big surprise, since many male ED sufferers are (according to the research I have read).