Barbara Mangweth-Matzek1, Kai K Kummer2, Harrison G Pope3. 1. Medical University of Innsbruck, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Clinic of Psychiatry II, Innsbruck, Austria. barbara.mangweth@i-med.ac.at. 2. Medical University of Innsbruck, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Clinic of Psychiatry II, Innsbruck, Austria. 3. Biological Psychiatry Laboratory, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Few studies have assessed symptoms of eating disorders in older men. METHOD: We administered anonymous questionnaires to 470 men, aged 40-75 years, in and around Innsbruck, Austria, to assess eating behavior, body image, and exercise activities. We defined current eating disorder symptoms (EDS) as (1) BMI < 18.5; (2) binge eating; (3) binge eating and purging; or (4) purging without binge eating. RESULTS: Of the 470 men, 32 (6.8%) reported one of the four eating disorder symptoms. The 32 men with eating disorder symptoms, compared to the 438 men with normal eating, showed significantly greater pathology on scales assessing eating behavior, exercise addiction, satisfaction with body shape, and weight. However, the EDE-Q cutoff score for eating disturbance identified only three (9%) of the EDS men. DISCUSSION: Symptoms of disordered eating, sometimes involving purging via excessive exercise, do occur in older men, and may be missed by conventional instruments.
OBJECTIVE: Few studies have assessed symptoms of eating disorders in older men. METHOD: We administered anonymous questionnaires to 470 men, aged 40-75 years, in and around Innsbruck, Austria, to assess eating behavior, body image, and exercise activities. We defined current eating disorder symptoms (EDS) as (1) BMI < 18.5; (2) binge eating; (3) binge eating and purging; or (4) purging without binge eating. RESULTS: Of the 470 men, 32 (6.8%) reported one of the four eating disorder symptoms. The 32 men with eating disorder symptoms, compared to the 438 men with normal eating, showed significantly greater pathology on scales assessing eating behavior, exercise addiction, satisfaction with body shape, and weight. However, the EDE-Q cutoff score for eating disturbance identified only three (9%) of the EDSmen. DISCUSSION: Symptoms of disordered eating, sometimes involving purging via excessive exercise, do occur in older men, and may be missed by conventional instruments.
Authors: Mariusz Jaworski; Mariusz Panczyk; Andrzej Śliwczyński; Melania Brzozowska; Katarzyna Janaszek; Piotr Małkowski; Joanna Gotlib Journal: Am J Mens Health Date: 2019 Jul-Aug