Binge eating among adolescents

Eating disorders are more common among adolescent females due to dieting in order to control weight (Hsu, 1989). However, the National Institute of Health (NIH) reports that eating disorders among men are under diagnosed and untreated (Strother et al, 2012). The numbers of eating disorders among men are on the rise and lack of proper intervention programs is one reason. Though research shows that adolescent females are at a higher risk of developing eating disorders, adolescent males are also not at a low risk. According to Ross & Ivis (1999) ‘binge eating’ disorder among male adolescents is also associated with higher possibilities of substance abuse or mental disorders.

Binge eating is ‘an eating disorder in which a person eats a much larger amount of food in a shorter period of time than he or she normally would and during binge eating, the person also feels a loss of control’ (NIH). This means that person suffering from binge eating would eat in between meals and 2-3 snack, consume between 5000-15000 calories in a sitting, overeats all day. Male adolescents who report binge eating report symptoms of depression, stress and some form of family function defect (Tanofsky-Kraff, 2008). Among the different disorders Binge eating is more likely to happen to adolescent males as research relates it to substance abuse and mental disorders. These two factors are at a higher risk for adolescent males as well and can cause binge eating disorder. Anorexia and Bulimia are usually associated with dieting, self-image (Smith et al, 1986), which are more common among adolescent women. According to Anderson (1999) eating disorders like binge eating among males maybe caused when in past they eat or diet to attain certain goals in sports. Indulgence in activities like video games, violent media exposure is also more common among male teenagers and this can lead to lack of physical exercise, aggression and behavioral problems (Konijn et al 2007). All these can then contribute to causes of eating disorders like binge eating.  

Research shows that male eating disorders are now known to be undiagnosed and untreated. The case of diagnosis and awareness of eating disorders among adolescent males maybe similar. One strategy to support control binge eating disorders among male adolescents is to highlight its importance among both genders. Self image, taking care of self is somewhat still unacceptable among teenage boys. To approach eating disorders as step towards good health in women and men is important. There would need to be a deliberate effort on part of school, counselors and family to highlight the effects of improper eating for males as much as for females.

References

Andersen, A. E. (1999). Eating disorders in males: Critical questions. Eating disorders: A reference sourcebook, 73-79.

Hsu, L. K. (1989). The gender gap in eating disorders: Why are the eating disorders more common among women?. Clinical Psychology Review, 9(3), 393-407.

Konijn, E. A., Nije Bijvank, M., & Bushman, B. J. (2007). I wish I were a warrior: the role of wishful identification in the effects of violent video games on aggression in adolescent boys. Developmental psychology, 43(4), 1038.

Ross, H. E., & Ivis, F. (1999). Binge eating and substance use among male and female adolescents. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 26(3), 245-260.

Smith, M. C., Pruitt, J. A., Mann, L. M., & Thelen, M. H. (1986). Attitudes and knowledge regarding bulimia and anorexia nervosa. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 5(3), 545-553.

Strother, E., Lemberg, R., Stanford, S. C., & Turberville, D. (2012). Eating disorders in men: underdiagnosed, undertreated, and misunderstood. Eating disorders, 20(5), 346-355.

Tanofsky-Kraff, M. (2008). Binge eating among children and adolescents.  In E. Jelalian & R. G. Steele (Eds.), Handbook of childhood and adolescent obesity (pp. 43–60). New York, NY: Springer.