It would come as a surprise to many, but the fact is that 5% of all anorexics in America are actually men. It is mistakenly believed that this disorder is limited only to women, since the male stereotype is not skinny, but well built and powerful. In fact, the number of men being diagnosed with anorexia is increasing at an alarming rate.

The question that obviously arises is why would a man want a slim figure? There can be many reasons for this. Sometimes, even in the course of a normal diet, a person can develop anorexic tendencies. Certain professional lawsuits could also be responsible. For example, runners and jockeys have jobs that require a lean frame, and therefore the chances of them being subjected to dieting and reduced food are higher, compared to, say, footballers or wrestlers. In the field of entertainment, models and actors must pay special attention to their appearance. Therefore, most men with eating disorders are more focused on looking athletic or successful than looking thin. Members of the gay community may also participate in severe diet programs to make themselves more attractive to other men. Men often start an eating disorder at later ages than women.

When dealing with an anorexic man, you have to be very careful and handle the situation delicately. Although both male and female patients need professional psychological help, for men it is the most important since they do not want to confess that they suffer from what they believe to be a woman’s problem. The researchers say that this reluctance of men to date openly could also mean that there are actually more anorexic men than officially recorded numbers might suggest.