UWS. Australia: Sun, sand and swimming may sound relaxing but for an increasing
number of men summer is a stressful time as they grapple with concerns
about body image. These concerns may seem benign but they can lead
to 'eating-disordered behaviour' and, in some cases, eating disorders
such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and muscle dysmorhphia.
Psychologist,
Deborah Mitchison, from the University of Western Sydney School of
Medicine says the social demands of summer holidays can be particularly
difficult for the 41 percent of men who have experienced one of the
eating disorders or behaviours at some time in the lives.
"Medical
referrals for men with eating disorders increase over summer," says Ms
Mitchison, who has studied the survey responses of over 3000 adults
randomly selected for a health behaviours survey.
"Summer is a
time when many men may become preoccupied with their physical
appearance. This can lead to the use of extreme weight-control
behaviours and, in some cases, binge eating. Such behaviours can, in
turn, lead to avoidance of social situations and isolation."
Research
conducted by Ms Mitchison and colleagues has shown in the decade 1998
to 2008 eating-disordered behaviour increased across all demographics
but faster for males.
She says extreme weight loss behaviours such
as very strict dieting, fasting, self-induced vomiting, and taking
laxatives are increasing at a significantly faster rate in males.
Compared
to the 1998 survey, the number of men in 2008 who said they practiced
at least weekly extremely strict dieting or went on fasts in order to
alter their weight had more than doubled.
The proportion of men
who went on at least weekly eating binges, where they felt that they had
lost control and could not stop eating, also increased markedly during
this period.
Ms Mitchison says males may be less likely than
females to recognise that their eating behaviour is pathological and
also less likely to consider seeking professional help for such
behaviour or other mental health problems.
"Males may be reluctant
to acknowledge that they have an eating disorder because they think
it's something only females experience," says Ms Mitchison.
"Men
with an eating disorder may feel ashamed, stigmatised and somehow 'less
manly'. They don't know how people, including their doctor, may react."
The
community has come a long way in recognising and providing support for
females with eating disorders. However, Ms Mitchison says there is a
considerable lag in providing tailored support for men.
"GPs often
do not recognise eating disorders in their male patients which may
further delay the patient from receiving the treatment they need."
Ms Mitchison encourages GPs to consider eating disorders when males with body image concerns present at their clinics.
She
says research indicates education and treatment programs for eating
disorders need to be broadened to better reflect the diversity of people
with the disorders, including not only males, but older women.
"There
are effective treatment options available, including cognitive
behaviour therapy. However, males may not be aware of that they have a
problem that requires specialist treatment or may feel uncomfortable
accessing this sort of treatment."