Eating disorders more common in males- Men’s Health Week

The Butterfly Foundation calls for a national focus on the root causes of the increasing number of males living with an eating disorder during Men’s Health Week (10-12 June), encouraging Australian men to celebrate their life achievements, seek support when required and improve their overall health and wellbeing, instead of focussing on an ideal body shape and size.

Only a few people associate eating disorders with men, when in fact more than 333,000 Australian men were found to have had a clinical eating disorder in 2012.[1] Butterfly’s CEO Christine Morgan said that negative body image is a serious issue for males today. The risky eating and excessive exercise that they engage in, because of, negative body image needs our urgent attention.

“We cannot ignore the connection and the risk posed by negative body image to the health of our men. Australian men currently represent 20 per cent of people with anorexia or bulimia, and up to 40 per cent of people with binge eating disorder. What is more concerning is the impact of the serious levels of stigma associated with men with an eating disorder, which may mean the number is much higher.”

Scott Griffiths, PhD candidate at Sydney University, has been researching eating disorders and body image concerns in males and is staggered by the impact that stigma is having on the male population. “The number of males seeking treatment for an eating disorder is really very low; I’d say no more than 25% of men are accessing support and treatment for this illness.’’

Eating disorders are still recognised as an illness affecting women, so it is extremely difficult for a man experiencing an eating disorder to come forward and ask for help as there is a sense that their masculinity will be judged.

Tony Kay developed Anorexia Nervosa nearly 11 years ago and says it was hard to accept help. “When I realised I had a problem I didn’t know what to do. I felt like my life was fast becoming out of control, and I didn’t know who to turn to or how to explain what was going on. It seemed like such a teenage girl problem, to be so worried about my appearance. I became obsessed with food and exercise, to try and attain perfection.”

Anorexia Nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. In 2012, approximately 1900 deaths were reported because of an eating disorder. “Given the stigma around males seeking help, this number is a very conservative estimate, and the true figure is much higher, leaving them at a greater risk to their physical and mental health. We have a responsibility to help our boys and men learn how to value themselves for who they are, rather than for their looks.” added Ms. Morgan

 “The Australian society stigmatises eating disorders very heavily, and for men with an eating disorder, the challenges faced to accessing help is even worse. We are lucky to have organisations like Butterfly, and other professionals in the field, who understand the serious adverse health risks associated with negative body image and  are able to provide effective treatments without stigma or judgement,” added Mr. Griffiths
During Men’s Health Week, the Butterfly Foundation will release a video that encourages those affected to reach out for help. Butterfly will also host a Facebook live chat with Scott Griffiths on 12 June at 7:30pm AEST to expand the conversation and help draw attention to the problem and hopefully contribute to the de-stigmatisation of eating disorders and body image concerns in men.