Priyanka Thapliyal1, Deborah Mitchison2,3, Jonathan Mond3,4, Phillipa Hay5. 1. Translational Health Research Institute (THRI), School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia. p.thapliyal@westernsydney.edu.au. 2. Department of Psychology, Centre for Emotional Health, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia. 3. School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 4. Centre for Rural Health, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia. 5. Translational Health Research Institute (THRI), School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Abstract
PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare gender differences in eating disorder (ED) features and to examine the role of gender as a predictor of ED help-seeking controlling for other putative determinants, namely weight/shape overvaluation, age, BMI, and impairment in role functioning. METHODS: Demographic, ED symptoms, and related data were collected during household interviews of individuals aged ≥ 15 years. One hundred and forty-eight participants (164 after data were weighted) with an ED syndrome were identified. RESULTS: Compared to women, men with an ED were younger and had lower levels of purging and overvaluation. However, men and women with an ED had similar levels of functional impairment, binge eating and strict dieting. In univariate analyses, males in general, but not males with an ED, were significantly less likely than females to seek help for an ED. In multivariate analysis of people with an ED, only BMI was significantly associated with treatment-seeking. CONCLUSION: Functional health impairment and common ED behaviours were similar for men and women with EDs. Gender may not be a primary reason to be more or less likely to seek help for an ED. Rather, other features, most notably, a higher BMI, appear to be stronger predictors of ED-specific help-seeking. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, cross-sectional descriptive study.
PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare gender differences in eating disorder (ED) features and to examine the role of gender as a predictor of ED help-seeking controlling for other putative determinants, namely weight/shape overvaluation, age, BMI, and impairment in role functioning. METHODS: Demographic, ED symptoms, and related data were collected during household interviews of individuals aged ≥ 15 years. One hundred and forty-eight participants (164 after data were weighted) with an ED syndrome were identified. RESULTS: Compared to women, men with an ED were younger and had lower levels of purging and overvaluation. However, men and women with an ED had similar levels of functional impairment, binge eating and strict dieting. In univariate analyses, males in general, but not males with an ED, were significantly less likely than females to seek help for an ED. In multivariate analysis of people with an ED, only BMI was significantly associated with treatment-seeking. CONCLUSION: Functional health impairment and common ED behaviours were similar for men and women with EDs. Gender may not be a primary reason to be more or less likely to seek help for an ED. Rather, other features, most notably, a higher BMI, appear to be stronger predictors of ED-specific help-seeking. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, cross-sectional descriptive study.
Authors: Stuart B Murray; Jason M Nagata; Scott Griffiths; Jerel P Calzo; Tiffany A Brown; Deborah Mitchison; Aaron J Blashill; Jonathan M Mond Journal: Clin Psychol Rev Date: 2017-08-02
Authors: Kelly A Romano; Sarah K Lipson; Ariel L Beccia; Paula A Quatromoni; Allegra R Gordon; Jose Murgueitio Journal: Int J Eat Disord Date: 2022-03-26 Impact factor: 5.791
Authors: Ellen E Fitzsimmons-Craft; Katherine N Balantekin; Andrea K Graham; Bianca DePietro; Olivia Laing; Marie-Laure Firebaugh; Lauren Smolar; Dan Park; Claire Mysko; Burkhardt Funk; C Barr Taylor; Denise E Wilfley Journal: Int J Eat Disord Date: 2020-06-16 Impact factor: 4.861