Non-PRO Dutch Science

Bulimia and anorexia nervosa are two eating disorders that destroy a girl's physical and mental health. Something is wrong with that statement. Can you find what it is? "Girl" is the incorrect word. Traditionally, bulimia and anorexia nervosa are thought of to be a girl's disease. However, this is not the case. Boys are also victims of these eating disorders. Of the 8 million people that have eating disorders, 10% of them are males.

Girls are constantly being bombarded by the media with images of women who are thin and beautiful. They feel that they should look like this regardless of the price. Boys are not an exception. All over magazine covers, television shows, and movies they show men with the perfect physique. They have the V-shaped body, with rock hard abs, and huge bulging biceps.

"Of the 8 million people that have eating disorders, 10% of them are males."

In many cases, boys with anorexia nervosa or bulimia are involved in some sort of sport where there is a required weight, such as wrestling, ballet or gymnastics. Most of them have been overweight before, which is not always the case with girls. Being teased as a child because of their body is common in boys who develop eating disorders. Many have low self-esteem and preexisting lower testosterone levels, which may contribute to the belief that only women and gay men get these eating disorders. Most of them have had a closer relationship with their mothers than with their fathers. However, these are just observations and more research has to be done to point out the specific reasons that boys get eating disorders.

Considering the difference in numbers between the two genders, it is suspected that males with eating disorders may not be reporting it. This could be because of the view that society has on men. Twenty years ago, one man would suffer from bulimia and anorexia nervosa for every ten to fifteen women who suffered from the same two diseases. Today, for every four women who suffer from anorexia nervosa, one man is anorexic, and for every eight to eleven women who suffer from bulimia, one man is bulimic. The numbers have increased because there is more awareness and men are starting to see that they too are vulnerable to eating disorders.

"...males with eating disorders may not be reporting it."

Parents can help their son if they suspect that he has an eating disorder. They should encourage healthy eating and remind their son that sports are just for fun and that they do not need to risk their health. They should spend more quality time with each other, and make sure that they have a good communication system. They should try and schedule family dinners at least three or four times a week. Most importantly, parents should make sure that their son knows that they love him unconditionally.

Awareness is key in helping, not only the boys with eating disorders, but the girls as well. They need to be educated in the harm that bulimia and anorexia nervosa does to their bodies. They need to know that there are different body shapes and that they need to accept themselves just the way they are.