The Lack of Acknowledgement for Males with Eating Disorders

Alixandria Stiles

Millions of people are affected by eating disorders at some point during their lives. Males account for one-third of this population. This is a serious health problem that requires immediate change. Eating disorders have long-term mental and physical health consequences if they are not treated early and effectively. The risk for mortality with eating disorders, especially anorexia nervosa, is extremely high. However, there is inadequate research, diagnosis, and treatments available for males. This is largely due to stereotypes and cultural bias that present eating disorders as a problem that strictly affects females. There needs to be more research published on males who develop eating disorders in order to identify symptoms, diagnosis processes, and treatments that apply to males. This literature review will assess what we know about male experience of eating disorders and where more investigation is required. From the minimal amount of research that is available on males, it is clear that males' presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of eating disorders varies largely from females. Therefore, the current research for females is often not applicable to males. Until there is more research completed on males with eating disorders, a large percentage of the population will be misunderstood, under-diagnosed, under-treated.

• Alixandria Stiles is a graduating senior with a major in interdisciplinary studies with a focus in nursing and health promotion.