NEDA: More American Men Seek Treatment For Eating Disorders

Male celebrities who admitted to be dealing with eating disorders have encouraged more men to seek treatment for their own illness, according to the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA).

The NEDA noted a 70% increase in the number of American men who sought hospitalization between 2010 and 2016 for eating disorders. It has been a common belief that only women are susceptible to this condition, but around 10 million men in the U.S. are expected to experience some form of eating disorder in their lifetime.

Celebrity Stories

Some celebrities that confessed to having eating disorders include Eminem, Dennis Quaid, Robert Pattinson, Aaron Carter, and Bam Margera. Eminem attributed his condition to being “carried away” with running exercises, as he became more conscious about burning 2,000 calories each day. For Quaid, he became anorexic during the ‘90s due to his obsession about his dietary habits.

EDCare noted that other than hospitalization, an eating disorder treatment center serves as an alternative facility for people struggling with anorexia, bulimia, and other illnesses. On the other hand, a study from the journal Public Health Nutrition claimed that certain types of food could lead to depression.

Food Choices

You may not be suffering from an eating disorder, but your food choices could increase your chances of developing depression. Those who are fond of eating fast food, such burgers, pizza, and donuts have a 51% higher chance of becoming depressed compared to healthy eaters, according to the study.

Defined as emotional eating, this condition also increases your chances of contracting or developing other conditions, such as high blood pressure and obesity. Note that depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, as more than 300 million people suffer from this mental illness.

Eating disorders are dangerous mental illnesses. If you or someone you know suffers from this condition, many institutions provide several treatment options. Seek professional help immediately to avoid the worse consequences.