Last word: A call to develop specific medical treatment guidelines for adolescent males with eating disorders

Males with eating disorders are underdiagnosed and undertreated, which may be a result of inadequate guidance and training to assess and treat eating disorders for medical professionals. This may be particularly problematic for adolescent males given the focus of eating disorders research and treatment on adolescent females. Furthermore, there is a paucity of research to guide screening, medical treatment, and training of health professions in adolescent males with eating disorders. The development of eating disorders education and training for medical professionals are included in the 21st Century Cures Act, which further emphasizes the opportunity to develop treatment guidelines individualized to male patients. This last word calls for the development of specific medical treatment guidelines for adolescent males with eating disorders.