In fact, males account for 5-10% of reported cases of anorexia nervosa (Hayes). Research suggest that males who develop anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders differ from females in three major areas of dieting behaviors: 1) while females diet because they feel fat, males diet because they have been overweight at some point in their lives; 2) males more often than females diet to attain certain goals in sports or to avoid some type of sports-related injury that would be related to a weight gain; 3) there is a greater preponderance of men who diet to avoid potential medical problems (Hayes). Generally, males believe that dieting and exercise will allow them to fell more masculine and more in control, which will lead to greater respect from others (Hayes).
Anorexia nervosa can cause serious damage to the heart, brain, and other vital organs. Patients may experience a severe drop in pulse rate and blood pressure, and may experience irregular heart rhythms or heart failure (Anorexia). Other effects include calcium loss from bones due to nutritional deprivation, causing the bones to become brittle and easily broken (Anorexia). However, if the disorder is diagnosed and treated early, many of the complication are reversible when body weight is restored (Anorexia). While some individuals can be treated as outpatients, others with dangerously low...
Ideally, patients in treatment will gain one to three pounds per week. Treatment strategies that are most effective involve a weight restoration within 10% of normal, along with individual, family and group therapies (Anorexia).
According to recent research, there are traits in individuals who develop this disorder that are considered risk factors that may be treated early, such as low self-esteem, body dissatisfaction, and dieting (Anorexia). If these risk factors are identified early and intervention is implemented, it may prevent a serious eating disorder from developing (Anorexia). Moreover, advocacy groups have been effective in reducing the number of media stories that glamorize being thin (Anorexia).
Works Cited
Anorexia Nervosa." National Alliance on Mental Illness. Retrieved January 23, 2007 from: http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=7409
Gold, Mark. "Anorexia and bulimia." American Family Physician. April 01, 1990.
Retrieved January 23, 2007 from HighBeam Research Library.
Hayes, Gerald L. "Male Anorexia Nervosa: A New Focus." Journal of Mental Health
Counseling. October 01, 2000. Retrieved January 23, 2007 from HighBeam Research Library.
