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Eating Disorders in Boys and Men
Tiffany A Brown1, Pamela K Keel2
1Department of Psychological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA;
Annual Review of Clinical Psychology
|February 3, 2023
Summary
Research on eating disorders in boys and men is growing. This review covers male-specific risks, factors, and treatments for eating disorders and muscle dysmorphia, highlighting future research needs.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Historically, boys and men have been underrepresented in eating disorder research.
- Recent 21st-century research has significantly advanced understanding of eating disorders in males.
- Muscle dysmorphia, the pathological pursuit of muscularity, is also a growing concern in men.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current state of knowledge on eating disorders and muscle dysmorphia in boys and men.
- To identify risk factors, assessment measures, prevention, and treatment strategies specific to males.
- To outline priorities for future research in this understudied population.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of epidemiological studies, risk factor analyses, and treatment outcome research.
- Examination of sociocultural, psychological, and biological vulnerability factors.
- Analysis of male-specific assessment tools and prevention/treatment efforts.
Main Results:
- Eating disorders and muscle dysmorphia affect various male populations, with specific risk groups identified.
- Sociocultural pressures, psychological traits, and biological factors contribute to vulnerability.
- Current research provides an overview of prevention, treatment outcomes, and mortality risks in men.
Conclusions:
- Further research is crucial to include males in epidemiological studies and track incidence.
- Identifying neurobiological risk factors and refining male-specific interventions are key priorities.
- Addressing barriers to treatment access and utilization is essential for improving outcomes in men with eating disorders.
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