Anorexia nervosa affects both men and women, and affected men have a mortality rate six times higher than men in the general population. A new article published in CMAJ ( Canadian Medical Association Journal ) aims to raise awareness about this potentially deadly eating disorder.
"Early identification and timely treatment are essential," writes Dr. Basil Kadoura, adolescent health specialist at British Columbia Children’s Hospital and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, with co-authors.
Five things you should know about anorexia nervosa in men:
1. Anorexia nervosa is a life-threatening eating disorder
Up to 0.3% of men will be diagnosed with anorexia nervosa in their lifetime. Affected men have a mortality rate six times higher than that of the general population. Stigma, lack of mental health knowledge, and gender stereotypes reduce help-seeking behaviors and lead to delays in treatment and poorer outcomes. Early identification and timely treatment are essential.
2. Specific adolescent male populations are at high risk
Athletes who play sports focused on body and strength (e.g., cycling, running, wrestling); racially and ethnically diverse men; and homosexual, bisexual, transgender and queer people are more susceptible to developing anorexia nervosa.
3. Evaluation of adolescent males with possible anorexia nervosa should include screening for muscle improvement goals and behaviors.
Muscle-enhancing behaviors are driven by body ideals that emphasize muscularity and leanness, and may include dietary changes (intermittent fasting and bulking and bulking diets), purging (vomiting, excessive exercise), use of supplements and anabolic steroid use. The muscle-oriented eating test is a validated assessment instrument for evaluating muscle-oriented disordered eating behaviors.
4. Complications can be life-threatening.
Complications of anorexia nervosa include instability of vital signs, bradycardia, abnormal total cholesterol levels, electrolyte abnormalities, hematologic abnormalities, elevated liver enzymes, impaired gastric emptying, vitamin D deficiency, superior mesenteric artery syndrome, and low density. bone mineral. A careful evaluation — including a medical history (examination of symptoms and behaviors), physical examination, and blood tests — are the first steps in identifying serious medical complications and guiding subsequent treatment.
5. Clinical guidelines recommend family treatment as first-line outpatient treatment.
Most adolescent males with anorexia nervosa can be treated on an outpatient basis with family treatment and ongoing medical follow-up. However, some adolescents may require treatment in the hospital.
