Public health - Demographic paper
Gender inequalities in Anorexia nervosa and Bulimia nervosa in the United
States of America
Maud van den Berge, Raluca Siska & Margot Zomer
04-12-2019
Mirte Kuipers & Hanneke Merten
Amsterdam University College
Abstract
Anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) are eating disorders (EDs) generally
associated with women and not seen as disorders that men can also suffer from. This paper explores
the prevalence of EDs in men in the United States and comments on the lack of attention in research
and media campaigns for male patients compared to female patients. Despite a higher prevalence in
females, it is also a problem in males that requires attention. The limited amount of information on
how EDs manifest in men can cause misdiagnosis, a lack of understanding of their symptoms, and
fuels the stigma surrounding male ED patients. This can result in men not getting diagnosed, thus the
actual percentage of affected males may be considerably higher. There is a multitude of determinants
that contribute to the development of EDs, and the rise of mass media has created standards to look a
certain way. These standards, however, differ between genders, as more pressure is put on females,
which can explain why their prevalence is higher. Additionally, men are not encouraged to show any
form of emotional vulnerability in today’s society, again fueling the stigma. In order to gain
understanding of EDs in males, more extensive research on their symptoms and behavior should be
done. There are already good intervention treatments available for diagnosed patients, such as family-
based behavioral treatment. Tackling the stigma through government induced media campaigns and
platforms with a male narrative can open up the discussion and allow more research to take place, for
example through screening high-risk populations such as high school students. Altogether, by
, attaining more information about EDs in males and normalizing them in society, the misconception
and gender inequality of EDs can be reduced.
Keywords: Eating disorders, Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Gender inequality
Gender inequalities in Anorexia nervosa and Bulimia nervosa in the United
States
Introduction
Anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) are generally associated with women and
not seen as disorders that are also prevalent in men. Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder (ED)
strongly related to mental health issues and emotional pathology, resulting in an obsession with body
image and losing weight. This obsession becomes a severe problem when people suffering from AN
lose weight to an extent that threatens their life (Cottrel & Williams, 2016). Bulimia nervosa is an
eating disorder that involves overeating followed by induced vomiting, using laxatives or/and
excessive exercising to make sure there is no or less caloric intake (Cottrel & Williams, 2016). This
paper aims to explore the prevalence of eating disorders in men in the United States and why there is
less attention for men with eating disorders than for women.
Although EDs are more often prevalent in women, with the female to male ratio ranging from
3:1 to 18:1, there is a number of men that are diagnosed with EDs, which means it is a problem that
acquires attention (Kinasz, Accuso, Kass & Le Grange, 2017). According to a study done by Weltzin
in 2005 males accounted for approximately 10% of AN and BN. A study carried out by Hudson
however, reported that 25% of AN and BN cases were males (2007). These numbers indicate that the
prevalence, as well as the incidence among men is increasing, potentially because more men are
seeking help and thus being diagnosed (Strother, Lemberg, Stanford & Turberville, 2017). However,
there are still inequalities at play when it comes to men with eating disorders.
