EATING DISORDERS IN MALES - A REPORT ON 135 PATIENTS

Objective: The goal of this study was to better understand the etiolog y, clinical characteristics, and prognosis of eating disorders in male s. Method: All males with eating disorders who had been treated at Mas sachusetts General Hospital from Jan. 1, 1980, to Dec. 31, 1994, were identified. Hospital charts and psychiatric departmental records were reviewed to verify that the eating disorders met DSM-IV criteria and t o abstract demographic and clinical data. Results: One hundred thirty- five males with eating disorders were identified, of whom 62 (46%) wer e bulimic, 30 (22%) were anorexic, and 43 (32%) met criteria for an ea ting disorder not otherwise specified. There were marked differences i n sexual orientation by diagnostic group; 42% of the male bulimic pati ents were identified as either homosexual or bisexual, and 58% of the anorexic patients were identified as asexual. Comorbid psychiatric dis orders were common, particularly major depressive disorder (54% of all patients), substance abuse (37%), and personality disorder (26%). Man y patients had a family history of affective disorder (29%) or alcohol ism (37%). Conclusions: While most characteristics of males and female s with eating disorders are similar, homosexuality/bisexuality appears to be a specific risk factor for males, especially for those who deve lop bulimia nervosa. Future research on the link between sexual orient ation and eating disorders would help guide prevention and treatment s trategies.