But Who? & Why?

When the term ‘eating disorder’ is announced, it’s safe to say that the majority of the audience are automatically linking the term, categorizing it with females more so than males. Thus, causing a problem in terms of attentiveness to the subject of male eating disorders and it’s increasing growth. People need to be more aware overall of male eating disorders. The level of awareness compared to the ratio of the rising level of male eating disorders is not balanced.

            Interestingly enough, not only do people and their surroundings refine what his/her thought is of him/herself, but the demographics can as well. Every 1 in 25 males in England reported to being anorexic (Maine, 2001). In the sense of the fashion realm London, England is a fashion capital. The bar for social standards is set high because of that, making the reason to look a certain way justified in the fashion society. However, it doesn’t make the act of extreme diet restrictions just. Males in London, many of which are part of the homosexual community, especially feel it is almost as if their life depends on the way that one looks because of the aura that the fashion world puts off. Homosexuality and it’s relevance to appeal eating disorders as an easier way to fit in with the mainstream. 

The average idea of an eating disorder usually is associated with mainstream disorders. In fact, many go unnoticed because the categorization has such a narrow path. Many times, it only allows a select few of disorders and the population that account for it. PhD Ousley, PhD Cordero, and MA White demonstrates the comparison of males and females that had eating disorders. The outcome of the test show the men who were diagnosed with an eating disorder weren’t projected just towards the desire to lose weight, but having a more masculine shape (Ousley et al., 2008). Ousley’s observation verify the idea that these males are influenced by media and exposure athletes that are exalted as superior because of their bodily figure. Geographic factors also place a role in the minds of males that reside in. 20,000 random participants conducted in an experiment that was in Southern California at a university located on the beach, where levels of eating patterns and body dissatisfaction in both men and women may be elevated as a result of the environment and lifestyle of students who live in warm climates (Ousley et al., 2008). This is one of the many factors when it comes to male eating disorders.

Maine, M. (2001). Altering Women’s Relationship with Food: A Relational,            Developmental Approach. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Session, 57, 1301-1310.      Academic Search Premier. Web 31 Oct. 2011.

 “Most say Homosexuality Should Be Accepted by Society.”Pew Research Center for the People            & the Press. 13 May 2011. Pew Research Center. Web. 

Ousley, Louise, Elizabeth Diane Cordero, and Sabina White. "Eating Disorders and Body Image

            of Undergraduate Men." Journal of American College Health 56.6 (2008): 617-622.           Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web.