The incidence of anorexia nervosa in males is generally agreed upon to be between 5% to 10% of all anorexia nervosa cases. (Crisp & Burns, 1983) Studies show that there tends to be a predominance of the upper social class in cases of eating disorders with almost two thirds of the group from social classes I and II (Sharp, Clark, Dunan, Blackwood, & Shapiro, 1994). High risk subgroups include jockeys, wrestlers, dancers, and entertainers required to lose weight to be successful (Andersen, 1986). Andersen (1986) also suggests that the incidence in male medical students is several times greater than that of the general male population.

The DSM-IV criteria for anorexia nervosa include an intense fear of gaining weight, a distorted self-perception of body image, refusal to maintain normal body weight (less than 85% of expected weight) and three consecutive months of amenorrhea (American Psychiatric Association, 1994). The criterion of amenorrhea has been subject to much criticism for the creation of a gender bias in diagnosis of the disorder. Several suggestions have been proposed to eliminate this gender bias. Russell (as cited in Crisp & Burns, 1983) solves the problem by altering the ameno

Another characteristic of male anorexia nervosa includes decreased sexual interest and testosterone level. Beumont et al. (as cited in Crisp & Burns, 1983) recorded testosterone levels in their six patients during emaciation and noted a diminished testicular function while a return to normal body weight reflected normal levels of testosterone. With respect to low levels of testosterone being the male equivalent of the DSM-IV requirement of amenorrhea, Scott (1986) suggested that evidence shows the endocrine decrease in males is due partly to malnutrition but that in females it may be independent of weight loss and therefore a poor diagnostic requirement.

There exists a strong correlation between a family history of mental illness and eating disorders. 33% of the male group in the Sharp et al. (1994) study had a first degree relative with a psychiatric illness in comparison to 44% of the female group. Also noted in the study were parental marital difficulties in 33% of the male group and 40% of the female group. Adverse childhood experiences are prevalent in the development of eating disorders in males. Kinzel, Mangweth, Traweger, & Biebel (1997) conducted a study of the relationship between the two. 26.2% of the men reported a familial deficiency syndrome. Kinzel et al. (1997) reported high scores on the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) scale for those who has adverse family background and experienced severe physical abuse.

Psychological characteristics in anorectics have also been studied. Crisp and Burns (1983) reported 44% of their male patients to be overactive as a feature of their illness and they also noted that 42% were active in sports prior to onset. Margo (1987) stated that overactivity was the only statistically significant clinical difference in her study comparing male and female anorectic with 62% of the male group exhibiting overactivity and only 26% of the female group demonstrating such. Yates et al. (as cited in Andersen, 1986) argued that compulsive running may be an expression of anorexia nervosa in males. Although compulsive running may simply be a case of obsessive- compulsive disorder, there exists a significant correspondence between the two suggesting the need for further research. Also, depressed mood was found in high occurrence in both the male and female groups of anorectics and obsessional behavior occurred in more than half of the groups (Sharp et al., 1994).

Andersen (1986) argued that being teased and criticized for lack of control in terms of obesity often led to dieting amongst males. He went on to state that alteration of body size and shape thereby improving self esteem is the strongest motivational factor for dieting exhibited by males

Some topics in this essay:
Crisp Burns, Andersen Holman, Bardwick Garner, Crisp Burns’, Blackwood Shapiro, SCID II, Inventory EDI, Hospital London, Psychiatric Association, Traweger Biebel, et al, burns 1983, crisp burns, crisp burns 1983, anorexia nervosa, sharp et al, sharp et, et al 1994, al 1994, eating disorders, mean age, scott 1986, male patients, et al cited, mean age presentation,