Over the last decade, male fashion has changed significantly, and it is this transition that could be blamed for the rapidly increasing number of Males suffering from eating disorders. I think we can all agree that a short stop to any High-Street fragrance store can really effect a man’s confidence, as the boxes are lined up with unrealistic handsome and toned men emblazoned on the front.

We look and wonder ‘what if’ for a moment, before the complex leaves us. But now the problem is imploding at a ridiculous rate to the public majority, and it’s leaving a lot of males with concerning health issues.

The birth of the skinny model, social pressures and High Street stores stocking unrealistic clothes for the body shapes that occupy a minority of customers, are all ingredients into an expanding, but yet hidden, problem in the male community. The current fascination with so called ’Gender Blending’ from stores like ‘Top Shop’ are not only championing the super skinny, but using them as the bench mark of what their customer base should look like.

It is this trend, along with the ‘Six-Pack’ aspiration, that have left the guys in the middle confused and unwell at what society wants, and in some cases, demands from them. This paranoia is reflected in the figures, as an estimated 40% of the general public that are suffering from eating disorders are in fact male, which compared to the 10% that was estimated in 2000, is a drastic inflammation.

To make it worse, the cases, that are vast as we have already discussed, are relatively ignored, making it even more difficult for the men in question to find any professional help or advice, according to research carried out by the South London and Mausley NHS foundation trust (SlaM).

Dr Victoria Moundford, SlaM clynical psychologist, conducted a lot of research into this topic, and found that not only were modern men striving to attain the unattainable through their own eating patterns, but they were also embarrassed and ashamed about their problem.

“The men we spoke to had found it difficult to admit to themselves, and others, that their eating behaviours were problematic and they needed some support.” Dr Moundford says, concerned.

“They felt very alone with their eating disorders, and were worried about what their friends and family might think if the word got out.”

As all phases and trends seem to do, the current desperation for bony hips and legs will leave the fashion world, but an eating disorder cannot be labelled as a partner in a trend, but a separate illness all together.

Just as long as the high street, and major fashion labels such as GUCCI, continue to not only use, but exclusively use, men with 27 inch waists, then this problem will only increase.

Click here to read the full article from Dr Victoria Mountford and her team at;
nutrition-rocks.co.uk