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Boys Can Have Eating Disorders Too
Filed under: Medical Conditions, In The News, Nutrition: Big Kids, Nutrition: Tweens, Nutrition: Teens
It's not unusual to hear about a teen girl who has an eating disorder or anorexia, but what people don't always realize is that boys can become alarmingly obsessed with their bodies, too. And it's just as serious. Dr. Phil spoke to two young men this week, talking about how eating disorders have taken over their lives.
Fifteen-year-old Eric, for example, is obsessed with having zero percent body fat. He is very, very afraid of what food will do to his body. Eric's need for control over his food is so severe that he's involved his entire family in his mealtime issues, throwing a tantrum if a meal isn't cooked to his specifications. Then there's Troy, 22, a health teacher -- no kidding -- who obsesses over calories and is constantly cold from his lack of body fat.
"Everything has to be prepared exactly the way he wants it," Eric's mom Becky says. "He eats egg whites, and I have to crack the egg and kind of toggle the yolk back and forth and get all the egg white out, but if that egg yolk breaks a little bit, and he sees a little bit of yellow in there, I have to throw it away. So, we end up throwing away a lot of things if I do it wrong. It's a lot of pressure when you're the cook, that's for sure. It's not fun."
Though I don't think that Eric's parents set out to be encourage his obsession, they've clearly entered enabling territory. Not only does Eric's mom have to use different utensils to cook Eric's food -- nothing, nothing he doesn't eat is allowed to touch his food -- but he also has his own drawers and shelves in the fridge. And you thought your kid was picky.
Dr. Phil says that as many as one million young men suffer from eating disorders, but often don't get the help they need. If you think you or someone you love may be at risk, here are the warning signs.
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Fifteen-year-old Eric, for example, is obsessed with having zero percent body fat. He is very, very afraid of what food will do to his body. Eric's need for control over his food is so severe that he's involved his entire family in his mealtime issues, throwing a tantrum if a meal isn't cooked to his specifications. Then there's Troy, 22, a health teacher -- no kidding -- who obsesses over calories and is constantly cold from his lack of body fat.
"Everything has to be prepared exactly the way he wants it," Eric's mom Becky says. "He eats egg whites, and I have to crack the egg and kind of toggle the yolk back and forth and get all the egg white out, but if that egg yolk breaks a little bit, and he sees a little bit of yellow in there, I have to throw it away. So, we end up throwing away a lot of things if I do it wrong. It's a lot of pressure when you're the cook, that's for sure. It's not fun."
Though I don't think that Eric's parents set out to be encourage his obsession, they've clearly entered enabling territory. Not only does Eric's mom have to use different utensils to cook Eric's food -- nothing, nothing he doesn't eat is allowed to touch his food -- but he also has his own drawers and shelves in the fridge. And you thought your kid was picky.
Dr. Phil says that as many as one million young men suffer from eating disorders, but often don't get the help they need. If you think you or someone you love may be at risk, here are the warning signs.
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
1-10-2009 @ 11:29AM
Sifrina said...All parents - of girls OR boys - need to do everything in their power
to prevent eating disorders FROM THE BEGINNING. Although it is unclear where the above boys' issues began, I agree these parents are seriously complicit. These kids need serious help or they will face a grim outcome.
When my son was 1 year old and I was trying to get him to gain a
little weight after he crossed a weight percentile on the
chart (probably due to being sick with rotavirus), our pediatrician
warned me of the dangers of creating "food issues" in my son by
following him around with a spoon saying, "Eat, eat." She said firmly, "This is a child we could easily give eating issues to and we aren't going to do that, are we?" I got her point and quickly said, "No doctor." To this day I NEVER cajole, plead, nag, whine, pressure, complain or even comment when my son doesn't want to eat all his food. Such actions generally backfire and, besides, he listens to his body which I think is great. As long as he's getting the right nutrients most of the time and is occasionally trying new things, I have nothing to say. Period.
Parents - please don't push the food! The risk of an eating disorder
is too high, even if you have a boy, and your family dinner will
never be the happy healthful experience it should be! Also, if you
have your own weight issues, you need to work these out and adopt
healthier eating/exercise habits as your child is likely watching you
and considering emulating your neurotic tendencies!
Reply
4-02-2009 @ 10:55AM
boomer said...My son is 11. Last summer he was in a lot of sports, soccer, bmx racing and lacrosse. The only problem was that he seemed to be also losing his appetite. I just figured he wasn't in a growth spurt, so I let him alone and didn't push/nag him too much to eat. Kids don't naturally starve themselves, right? Plus, his physique looked perfect. He went to the doctor in the fall for his annual physical and we found out that he lost a pound from last year. After he found out that he's lost weight, I swear he's become obsessed or anxious with calories/weight loss. Now, he's lost over 10 pounds and for some reason he's decided that he doesn't like food anymore. His lowest weight was 64 lbs. We're now seeing a pediatrician who specializes in weight loss and a psychologist. So far he's gained 2 lbs., but the food anxiety is still there. I just wish I had started 'pushing' him to eat a little sooner and maybe we wouldn't be in the predicament that we're in - I could be wrong. He's always been exactly in the 50th percentile for height and weight. Now he's dropped to the 25th for height and the 0-5th for weight. It's very scary.
4-02-2009 @ 8:20PM
Sifrina said...I'm so sorry to hear of this with your son. It is scary and I'd probably wish I had pushed the food too, but that can backfire and you are getting him good help. Please don't beat yourself up over this and hang in there. I'm sure the doctors will give you good advice on how to alleviate your son's anxiety as best you can. Thank you for sharing this.
2-04-2009 @ 4:14AM
Minh said...Thanks for your article. I would also like to suggest another website with lots more information about eating disorders as well as addictions. http://www.lifeworkscommunity.com
Reply
1-25-2011 @ 2:36AM
karen ragless said...my son 5yrs ago had a problem the only place we could go was in adelaide flinders medical centre inwhich they are talking about closing down. no-one was that interested in his problem as they commented "as there are not alot of males with an eating disorder they or no-one helped. my son has improved over the years wasnt easy now he is going to be in first bodybuilding competion in 2012. he has alot of thanks to marc lobliner scivation who is in america for all his inspiration. if you go on to his website you will see an article of my son(Testimonial section) Matthew Ragless. im so proud of him hopefully the article can and will be an inspiration to others. female or male
Reply