Publish date: 27 February 2023
This week is Eating Disorder Awareness Week (Monday 27 February to Sunday 5 March) and the theme this year is 'men get eating disorders too'.
In Ealing, the Trust runs a community eating disorder service and we know that there is a much higher number of women presenting with eating disorders than men.
In fact, in 2022, 12.4% of patients were male in comparison to 87.6% of patients who were female.
Often men with eating disorders don't engage with health services or wait until they're in crisis before they seek help.
That's because men face an increased stigma when it comes to eating disorders, partly due to the fact that it's perceived as a female issue.
This misrepresentation can mean men feel too ashamed to visit their GP and ask for help due to myths and stereotypes surrounding eating disorders.
Dr Tracy Teng is the principal clinical psychologist and clinical lead for the West London Community Eating Disorder Service.
She said: "This year's eating disorder awareness week we're shining a spotlight on men with eating disorders and encouraging them to come forward for treatment and share their story.
"Around 1 in 4 individuals affected by eating disorders are men but men face increased stigma when asking for help due to the myths and stereotypes surrounding eating disorders.
"We also know from our data that the number of women referred to the service is significantly higher than the number of men."
she added: "Eating disorders don't discriminate based on gender. If you think you may be experiencing symptoms in line with an eating disorder, we encourage you to contact your GP. The earlier someone gets treatment, the better their chance of recovery."
The community eating disorder service offers a range of interventions and evidence-based treatment that caters for the needs of individuals with different types of eating disorders.
Typically treatment involves psychological interventions which may take the form of guided self-help, groups and/or individual sessions.
Clients may also receive input from a dietician and/or peer support worker.
The Trust also works closely with GPs and medical professionals to ensure physical risks associated with eating disorders are managed effectively.
Binge eating and compulsive exercise are more common in men with eating disorders, but it's important for us to understand each individual's story and not to over-generalise because everyone's experience of eating disorders is different.
You can find out more about the community eating disorder service here