Eating Disorders Also Affect Men, But Goes Undiagnosed, Untreated: Study

Talking about eating disorder always is believed to be linked with women. Also, researchers say assumption of such affecting only women prevents men from receiving support and help needed.

In a recent study conducted by Ulla Raisanen of the University of Oxford in the UK it is said there are poor recognition of symptoms of eating disorders in men.

The study is based on interviews taken from about forty individuals between the ages of 16 and 25 years and it is published in the BMJ Open journal. All the subjects suffered some form of eating disorder and they were asked to share their experiences and only men's responses were focused most.

The researchers identified four themes as below: - Earl signs and symptoms recognition. - Problem recognition. - Seeking for help. - First time visit to support services and health care. It was found men with such disorders are usually underdiagnosed, undertreated as well as under-researched. Among men the eating disorder took a crisis point like emergency hospitalization and then they realized the problem, stated NewsWellness.

Several men said they were unaware where to go for help and few others thought they would not be taken seriously by the health care professionals. After seeking help mixed reactions were found from men. Some said the experience was positive and others felt the health care professional was helpful to them. Researchers said early detection in men is required for eating disorders to ensure prognosis is improved.