TY - JOUR
T1 - The enigma of male eating disorders
T2 - a critical review and synthesis
AU - Murray, Stuart B.
AU - Nagata, Jason M.
AU - Griffiths, Scott
AU - Calzo, Jerel P.
AU - Brown, Tiffany A.
AU - Mitchison, Deborah
AU - Blashill, Aaron J.
AU - Mond, Jonathan M.
PY - 2017/11/1
Y1 - 2017/11/1
N2 - Historically, male presentations of eating disorders (EDs) have been perceived as rare and atypical – a perception that has resulted in the systematic underrepresentation of males in ED research. This underrepresentation has profoundly impacted clinical practice with male patients, in which i) stigmatization and treatment non-engagement are more likely, ii) a distinct array of medical complexities are faced, and iii) symptom presentations differ markedly from female presentations. Further, the marginalization of males from ED research has hindered the assessment and clinical management of these presentations. This critical review provides an overview of the history of male EDs and synthesizes current evidence relating to the unique characteristics of male presentations across the diagnostic spectrum of disordered eating. Further, the emerging body of evidence relating to muscularity-oriented eating is synthesized in relation to the existing nosological framework of EDs. The impact of marginalizing male ED patients is discussed, in light of findings from epidemiological studies suggesting that clinicians will be increasingly likely to see males with ED in their practices. It is suggested that changes to current conceptualizations of ED pathology that better accommodation male ED presentations are needed.
AB - Historically, male presentations of eating disorders (EDs) have been perceived as rare and atypical – a perception that has resulted in the systematic underrepresentation of males in ED research. This underrepresentation has profoundly impacted clinical practice with male patients, in which i) stigmatization and treatment non-engagement are more likely, ii) a distinct array of medical complexities are faced, and iii) symptom presentations differ markedly from female presentations. Further, the marginalization of males from ED research has hindered the assessment and clinical management of these presentations. This critical review provides an overview of the history of male EDs and synthesizes current evidence relating to the unique characteristics of male presentations across the diagnostic spectrum of disordered eating. Further, the emerging body of evidence relating to muscularity-oriented eating is synthesized in relation to the existing nosological framework of EDs. The impact of marginalizing male ED patients is discussed, in light of findings from epidemiological studies suggesting that clinicians will be increasingly likely to see males with ED in their practices. It is suggested that changes to current conceptualizations of ED pathology that better accommodation male ED presentations are needed.
KW - male eating disorders
KW - eating disorders
KW - male body image
KW - muscularity-oriented disordered eating
KW - muscle dysmorphia
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85026867723&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://ulrichsweb.serialssolutions.com/title/1506561943153/90548
U2 - 10.1016/j.cpr.2017.08.001
DO - 10.1016/j.cpr.2017.08.001
M3 - Article
C2 - 28800416
AN - SCOPUS:85026867723
SN - 0272-7358
VL - 57
SP - 1
EP - 11
JO - Clinical Psychology Review
JF - Clinical Psychology Review
ER -