When you
think of an eating or image disorder, what springs to mind?
If we’re
honest, often our knee-jerk characterization is female. A lot of us think disorders,
such as anorexia or bulimia, are a “women’s issue.”
But what about
the male gender?
“In the United States, 20 million women and 10 million men suffer
from a clinically significant eating disorder at some time in their life,
including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, or an
eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS). For various reasons, many
cases are likely not to be reported. In addition, many individuals struggle
with body dissatisfaction and sub-clinical disordered eating attitudes and
behaviors, and the best-known contributor to the development of anorexia
nervosa and bulimia nervosa is body dissatisfaction.”
Unfortunately,
both the male and female genders suffer from distorted and disordered image
messages and practices. Perhaps, males don’t always possess the same behaviors as
those of their female counterparts. Nevertheless, the obsession and
self-destructive evidence is there. And, at some of its most extreme, it often
manifests in the bodybuilding arena.
“...The
onset of disease in males is typically triggered by a concern with bodybuilding
and sport training...”
“... Body dysmorphic disorder (a severe
preoccupation with an imagined or slight defect in appearance that can impair
daily function and cause severe depression)...”
“Males With Eating Disorders” By Abigail Natenshon
Arnold Schwarzenegger is probably our culture’s best-known
example of the competitive bodybuilder. Throughout his usual career, he has acquired
numerous prestigious titles, including “Mr. Olympia” and “Mr. Universe.”
Indeed, we see the training, the discipline and the
mind-set on display in the 1977 documentary, “Pumping Iron.” Countless hours
spent in the gym, a restrictive diet and an unforgiving “no excuses” mantra
were crucial to his success.
And, for some people, it can be difficult to dispute
the coveted results. “Winning,” after all, has usually been of the utmost
importance. However, sometimes, unfortunately, the cost, all too willingly
paid, is that of someone’s life, health and well-being, for the sake of these
“results.”
“The pressure of weight restrictions in certain sports is fostering
eating disorders among athletic men as well... Among bodybuilders the dangerous
use of steroids can cause serious side effects including depression, sexual
dysfunction, and other physical disorders.”
The
Rader Program
In our society, we are inundated with the female
face of image/eating disorder. And yes, that, unfortunately, is a reality.
But, we cannot ignore the impact on the male gender
as well. We cannot ignore its danger...
“‘In
fact, it's more dangerous for men to develop anorexia nervosa than for females
... because when males get down to the lowest weight ranges, they've lost more
muscle and tissue, whereas [fat] is something you can lose for a period of time
without repercussions,’ says Mae Sokol, a child and adolescent psychologist at
Menninger, a psychiatric hospital in Topeka, Kansas...”
“Eating Disorders: Not Just a Girl Problem”
Compounding things even more is also the shame
factor, as it relates to the male gender and disorder. Sokol asserts...
“...The public
thinks of it as a 'girl disease,' and these guys don't want to have to come out
and say, 'I have a girl disease.' Plus, to have to come to a [treatment
facility] where most of the patients are women - they don't feel good about
that at all...”
That discomfort, according to the article, can produce
a dangerous reality:
“... Feeling uncomfortable may be a big part
of why men are less likely to go for help for an eating disorder...”
Refusal to ask for and accept help increases the
likelihood of further health issues and even death for the male involved.
“...eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any
mental disorder... those who suffer from an eating disorder may ultimately die
of heart failure, organ failure, malnutrition or suicide...”
We can
become addicted to anything out there.
So, it
should be no surprise how image, exercise, food and goal pursuits, likewise,
can become an out of control addiction all too easily, all too quickly. And this
can apply to the preoccupation with image- focused bodybuilding.
No, not
every male gets caught up in this lifestyle; not everyone crosses over into
dangerous compulsion and life-threatening behavior.
Yet, a challenge
remains when emphasis on a particular, often exaggerated, image is the focal
point. Initially, something may start out as a “healthy” or a “positive”
pursuit. However, the potential for that very thing to turn self-destructive,
secretive and obsessive disorder is there, one which can even lead, unfortunately,
to death.
And, in the
meantime, what else has been sacrificed to the altar of “perfection?” Health?
Relationships? Self- acceptance? Other pursuits in personal or career areas? A
well-rounded, happy life?
“Let all
things be done decently and in order.”
1 Corinthians 14:40
Myopic
obsession is disorder. And it is not the Divine best for any one of us.
“For God is not a God of disorder
but of peace…”
1 Corinthians 14:33
“Beloved, I wish above all things
that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.”
3 John 1:2
Our Creator
called everything He made, everything representative of Him, GOOD...
“And God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness...’ So
God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female
created he them.”
Genesis 1:26-27
“And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good...”
Genesis 1:31
In Abigail Natenshon’s study of distorted male body image,
she provides a checklist of questions to assess disorder where health should
be.
Do
you worry about your appearance?
Spend
a lot of time on preening, grooming?
Eat special
foods just to improve appearance?
Do you use
behaviors around food and exercise to relieve or resolve anxiety, depression?
Are behaviors
around eating and exercise compulsive, inflexible?
Does
excessiveness or extremism show up in other life spheres as well?
We need to challenge ourselves, to assess how those answers
support or disregard 3 John 1:2 in our real lives.
“Beloved, I wish above all things
that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.”
How do we answer concerning that scripture’s “prosperity and
healthy soul” context?
If we focus solely on physical health, the image of a
strong, athletic body, to the exclusion of our spiritual and mental well-being,
there really isn’t a health benefit being achieved at all, is there?
When we choose to engage in that limited, unhealthy pursuit,
we aren’t building much of anything, including this all-important body.
It is a sad refusal to embrace the spectacular mystery of
our humanity; that mystery extends to the spiritual, mental, emotional and
creative wonders, all gifted to us.
“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made…”
Psalm 139:14
The challenge for each of us, male or female, is to build
upon that!
Copyright © 2017 by Sheryle Cruse
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