Eating disorders are severe mental and physical illnesses that encompass damaging relationships with body image, exercise, eating and food. Research has found that behaviors that are linked to eating disorders, such as fasting for weight loss, purging and binge eating, are almost as common in men as they are in women. Figures from the National Eating Disorders Association also show that every one in three individuals suffering from an eating disorder is male.
A study that was recently published in the “American Journal of Men’s Health” has found that eating disorder prevalence in men has been increasing, with data showing that about 10 million men and boys in the United States will suffer from these disorders at least once in their lifetime. Many believe that the assumption that eating disorders mainly affect women has led to missed diagnoses in men.
Additionally, feelings of shame and stigma may cause men to hesitate to seek treatment or deny their symptoms. This is why we should recognize the effect eating disorders can have on men, identify those who have a heightened risk and discuss various treatment options for them.
How do these disorders present in men ,and who is at risk of developing them?
In women, eating disorders are often linked to a desire to lose weight or become thin. However, research conducted by Dr. Jason Nagata, who studies eating disorders in adolescents, has found that most men try to bulk up and become more muscular, which means that most of the weight loss behaviors observed in women don’t apply to them.
A separate study has found that almost one-third of teen boys in the U.S. admitted to wanting to gain weight, with another quarter reporting that they ate more and took steroids or supplements in order to bulk up. LGBTQ+ people, people of color and athletes have a heightened risk of developing eating disorders and behaviors linked to these disorders.
What treatments and recovery programs can help men address these disorders?
Experts believe that raising awareness among those who may be suffering from these disorders and identifying the specific body issues that men face is crucial in the development of successful treatments.
This is in addition to making it known that plenty of men have similar experiences, as this may play a huge role in recovery. This is because struggling mentally with eating disorders may feel isolating for some people.
It is advised that individuals who may be suffering from eating disorders consult with a nutritionist and therapist and undergo a mental health evaluation as well as a physical check in order to determine the most suitable treatment plans. Speaking of treatments, good news could be on the horizon for people diagnosed with eating disorders. Many companies, including Tryp Therapeutics Inc. (CSE: TRYP) (OTCQB: TRYPF), are looking to commercialize a new class of medicines that could address eating disorders at the root cause.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Tryp Therapeutics Inc. (CSE: TRYP) (OTCQB: TRYPF) available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/TRYPF
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