binge eating is as common in men as it is in women

BINGE EATING

BingeEatingBreakthrough.com

IS AS COMMON IN MEN AS IT IS IN WOMEN

Throughout history, men enjoyed a much broader

range of “acceptable” body shapes and sizes than

women

Over the years, it seems men are increasingly speaking up about being dissatisfied with

how they look.

Today, men are catching up with women in body dissatisfaction

and disordered eating. Some are going to dangerous lengths to

slim down, others spend hours in the gym bulking up and others find themselves drowning their

emotions in food.

Men are struggling with the same eating disorders as

women, but often suffering silently in shame. Commonly known as "woman's" eating

disorders, it can be even more awkward for men to talk about

their problem

While men make up about 10 percent of patients with

anorexia and bulimia, it seems both sexes struggle almost equally with binge eating.

According to the Binge Eating Disorder Association, 40 percent of the estimated 10 million Americans who

binge eat are men. 

In a recent study of 46,351 men and women ages 18 to 65 published in The International Journal of Eating Disorders, roughly 11 percent of women

and 7.5 percent of men struggled with binge eating

Binge eating is defined as consuming large amounts of food at least a couple times

per week, combined with feeling a sense of loss of

control.

THE SYMPTOMS OF BINGE EATING DISORDER ARE SIMILAR IN MEN AND WOMEN, AND INCLUDE:

Repeatedly eating large amounts of food in short periods of time, without purgingFeeling out of control around foodEating in secret or hiding foodEating regardless of hunger and until uncomfortably fullEating to relieve difficult feelingsFeeling shame, self-hatred, disgust or despair after overeatingFrequently dieting or taking other measures to control weight and eating habits

Because eating disorders still carry a stigma, especially among men, the risks of binge eating are

critical. Heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and other weight-related

health conditions are common, along with depression and anxiety

Compounding the problem is the reality that many men do not seek treatment for fear of appearing weak, strange or

like "less of a man."

Although men may not reach out for help as often,

treatment is equally effective for men as it is for

women. 

A man who binge eats needs treatment and support just as a

woman does. 

For more information, a free video course and additional support, visit

http://www.bingeeatingbreakthrough.com