Understanding how gender shapes men's experiences of eating disorders
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding how gender shapes men's experiences of eating disorders - a qualitative study
IRAS ID
329347
Contact name
Ellis Kokko
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
CAPS Independent Advocacy
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 26 days
Research summary
The purpose of the research is to better understand how gender impacts the experiences of men with eating disorders. It is estimated that about 25% of people with eating disorders are men in the UK. Yet, men and boys with eating disorders are often absent from public discussions and popular depictions of eating disorders, and EDs in males have been described as “underdiagnosed, undertreated and misunderstood” (Strother, Lemberg, Stanford, & Turbeville, 2012). Eating disorders are widely associated with femininity and seen as a female disorder, due to which men experiencing disordered eating may experience greater stigma. In the case of eating disorders, early detection is crucial in preventing the development of a serious long-term illness. However, preconceptions about who can develop eating disorders can lead to overlooking symptoms both by professionals, family members and peers, and men themselves.
Despite an increasing awareness of the fact that men get eating disorders, there is little qualitative research focusing on the experiences of men who struggle with disordered eating. The research seeks to better understand the issues men with eating disorders face, including when seeking help, accessing treatment, disclosing their condition to family and peers, and engaging with social media content on eating disorders. A better understanding of men's experiences is needed to improve services and help more people to access treatment earlier.
People taking part will be interviewed either online or in CAPS offices in Edinburgh, Scotland. Interviews will be analysed through the qualitative method of interpretive phenomenological analysis. People eligible for the research must be over 18 years of age, reside in the UK and identify or align with the experience of being a man with an eating disorder.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
23/NS/0098
Date of REC Opinion
21 Sep 2023
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion