Can guys get anorexia/bulemia?

Question

You only hear or see girls suffering from this.

Answer 1

YES! There are absolutely men with eating disorders out there. In fact, about 10% of people suffering from ED's are men.

Eating Disorders in males are on the rise and the numbers are increasing quite rapidly. It is hard to determine the actual number of males who suffer because of the stigma attached to eating disorders. Eating disorders are seen as being synonymous with females and there is a certain amount of shame for a male to admit that they have a "feminine disease." Eating disorders are quite serious and dangerous. Life-threatening side effects may arise due to the severity of the disorder. Eating disorders are very similar in men and women, and the reason why a male develops an eating disorder is not very different than why a female might develop one.

Here are some links to information for males with eating disorders:
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/p.asp?WebPage_ID=285
http://www.eating-disorders.net/cultural/issuesformen.php
http://www.menstuff.org/issues/byissue/eatingdisorders.html#maleanorexia

Answer 2

That question is in the same box as the question "are males abused in relationships?". Of course. You just don't hear about it because it's not "manly" to be a victim of such circumstances. I've been involved in the fitness arena for 15 years and I've lost count of the amount of times men have come to me and poured themselves out with their eating problems. Your are absolutely right that you only hear of females suffering from anorexia and bulemia and because of that I personally think that it has become a "female" problem. This is a real shame because I'll guarantee you that there are alot of men out there suffering alone. It's about time society got their heads out of their **** and started adopting a supportive attitude towards men and women with what ever issues are going on because if we don't then issues such as this will continue to grow.

Answer 3

I believe that most of the current data is stating that around 10% of those that suffer from eating disorders are male.

Answer 4

Anorexia/bulimia is as much an mental illness as a physical illness and guys can get it, but it is more rare.

Answer 5

Yes they can. It's not as common but it still exists. Body dysmorphia (ie believing you are a totally different shape to what you are) affects both sexes, and eating disorders can also affect anyone.

Answer 6

It's not like a cold, that you can get from someone else. Of course there are males who purge themselves, not quite as badly as females who have an obsession about weight.

Answer 7

yes, i'ts just not as common. guys in general wanna be buff, not skinny. XP