Whenever you hear the topic of Eating Disorders or Binge Eating, you automatically think of women. Women have traditionally been the main sufferers of various types of disordered eating and most treatment programs are oriented toward women.  However, disordered eating does not discriminate between gender (nor age, race, ethnicity, or religion).

In recent years, the professional community is coming to recognize that men are being affected by eating disorders, too.  In fact, studies have shown Binge Eating Disorder to be almost as common in men as in women, while Anorexia and Bulimia remain higher in women.  Binge Eating is present in individuals who are overweight, obese, and even normal weight.  Whatever the eating problem you may have, if you are a man, you are definitely not alone, and there is help for you.

Overall, people who binge eat (also known as stress eating, emotional eating, and compulsive overeating) are rarely recognized and treated; however, that is changing with more publicity and education about this type of disordered eating.  Nevertheless, men still are reluctant to come forward and ask for assistance with binge eating.  This is unfortunate since studies have shown that binge eating in men results in significant emotional distress, obesity, depression, and a host of possible health issues.

There is hope, and there are very good treatment methods for binge eating. Finding a counselor who specializes in eating issues is the first step.  Developing a healthy relationship with food and physical activity is part of the healing and recovery process.

An excellent resource is the “Binge Eating Disorder Association”  http://www.bedaonline.com/.

Stacey Wald, LAPC, RD
swald@ GROWcounseling.com