Eating Disorders in Male Athletes
There has been a lot of focus on female-identifying athletes and eating disorders. While necessary and important, it is essential to not forget about male athletes. They are also susceptible to eating disorders. This blog post hopes to provide a few thoughts on the topic.
Eating disorders (EDs) in male athletes can be potentially debilitating disorders that have significant medical, psychological, and athletic performance consequences (Eichstadt et al., 2020). Furthermore, Eichstadt et al. (2020) emphasize that EDs can be more challenging to identify and diagnose due to the differential presentation of symptoms, secretiveness or shame around behaviors, and sex-related stigma. Yes, thank you science and research for your accurate representation. Now, how about human speak. Eating disorders are nothing to mess with. They can be deadly. What makes them hard to diagnose is the spectrum of symptoms that someone can present with and the stigma that surrounds talking about eating disorders. It can drive people to keep it to themselves and even feel that they are bad because of it.
Now let’s come back to male athletes. According to DeFeciani (2016), male athletes have unique cultural, political, and financial pressures as well as added risk factors and are often involved in a subculture that promotes unhealthy weight control measures. The article also highlights the pressure placed upon the athletes, which is then reinforced by scholarships and financial success that may help get them and their families out of poverty. One way to translate this process is that unhealthy behaviors are positively reinforced, which promotes the behavior. Though this also feels like a tough spot beyond the reinforcement because if a sport is a way to pull one’s self and family out of poverty, the internal motivation to succeed may also be playing a role out of a desire to protect or survive. Karrer et al. (2020) also found that competing in weight-sensitive sports was the most frequently associated factor. In the end, there is a level of complexity that when it comes to risk factors, pressure, and experiences that need to be considered.
DeFeciani (2016) also highlighted how body image is a multidimensional construct with physiological, psychological, and sociological components. So that means that all the different cultures that the athletes interact with provide specific messages within the three dimensions, thus furthering the risk. For example, the dominant cultural expectations of body image, the sport expectations of body image, and the cultural expectations of body image could all interact and potentially increase the risk.
Parker and Harriger (2020) present research that highlights how LGBT individuals are at increased risk because of increased stress. They specifically use the lens of the minority stress model (MSM), which emphasizes the unique distal stressors, such as stigma and discrimination, and proximal stressors, such as internalized homophobia or transphobia and concealment of sexual or gender identity. The research by Nagata et al. (2020) also reinforced disordered eating behaviors being perpetuated by minority stress and discrimination. As an SPP we need to be aware of the systemic systems of oppression and how they harm clients. The awareness of systemic oppression is essential. To be effective in helping athletes, the outside world must be accounted for and considered as athletes do not exist in isolation.
A table with different types of breakfast foods over in including: waffles, berries, drinks, avocado toast, and salt and pepper.
take action today moment:
Take some time to educate yourself about eating disorders and mental health issues in athletes. Mental health is just as important as physical health!
Learn More About Male Athletes and Eating Disorder:
Underdiagnosed Male Eating Disorders Are Becoming Increasingly Identified
Hidden figures: Male athlete eating disorders often overlooked
Let’s Talk About Disordered Eating and Male Athletes
References
DeFeciani, L. (2016). Eating disorders and body image concerns among male athletes. Clinical Social Work Journal, 44(1), 114-123. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-015-0567-9
Eichstadt, M., Luzier, J., Cho, D., & Weisenmuller, C. (2020). Eating disorders in male athletes. Sports Health, 12(4), 327-333. https://doi.org/10.1177/1941738120928991
Karrer, Y., Halioua, R., Mötteli, S., Iff, S., Seifritz, E., Jäger, M., & Claussen, M. C. (2020). Disordered eating and eating disorders in male elite athletes: A scoping review. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 6(1), e000801.
Nagata, J. M., Ganson, K. T., & Austin, S. B. (2020). Emerging trends in eating disorders among sexual and gender minorities. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 33(6), 562-567. https://doi.org/10.1097/YCO.0000000000000645
Parker, L. L., & Harriger, J. A. (2020). Eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors in the LGBT population: A review of the literature. Journal of Eating Disorders, 8(1), 1-20.