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Introduction
Eating disorders are obsessive disturbances in an individual related to one’s eating habits, and/or general behavior, with the intention to control weight. Eating disorders result in impaired physical health or psychological dysfunction. There has been a focus on eating disorders among women, yet research shows that there is only small to moderate variation in the occurrence of eating disorders between males and females (Weltzin et al. 2012). The research indicates that the prevalence of eating disorders in the male population has increased in the recent years. This is a major problem among the teenagers because they are usually affected by slight public sentiments. This paper aims at reviewing available scientific literature on eating disorders in the male adolescent population and evaluating the etiology and pathophysiology of these eating disorders, as well as interventions given.
Risk Factors
According to Weltzin et al. (2012), the risk factors for eating disorders are multi-factorial. Sports, and especially those that are ideal for individuals with less body fat, encourage eating disorders as individuals seek to achieve lesser body size. In the contemporary society where body image is very essential, adolescents are psychologically disturbed regarding their body images. In the same way that females are concerned with clothing and femininity, male adolescents are interested in having a physically fit body; thus, they develop a desire to be slender. Genetic predisposition is also suggested to be a risk factor for eating disorders (Weltzin et al. 2012). Genetic traits that lead to eating disorders are perfectionism, behavioral rigidity and avoidance of harm, as opposed to genetic traits of hunger.
Impact
Individuals diagnosed with eating disorders are also often diagnosed with mental and psychological instability. According to a study by Weltzin et al. (2012), 69% of the males on residential treatment had depression. This mental instability affects receptiveness and response to treatment. Eating disorder merely begins as a desire with reference to the risk factors mentioned above, and turns out to be a psychological and mental condition. When frustration is heightened, individuals turn to substance abuse. Anorexia Nervosa results in severe weight loss that is physically observed as thinness. In addition, people engage in unhealthy behaviors in their attempt to attain the desired body size, for example, too much exercise in men. Men in contrast to women are more vulnerable to excessive exercises due to “lack of control, less alternative activities and increased tolerance” (Weltzin et al. 2012). In addition, individuals with eating disorders are usually in a state of denial and often refuse treatment (Geller, Brown & Srikameswaran, 2010).
Nursing Interventions
As noted above, individuals with eating disorders have physical, psychological, and mental conditions that should be adequately addressed by the intervention being given. However, treatment difficulties, including “treatment refusal, dropout and relapse” are common among individuals with eating disorders (Geller, Brown & Srikameswaran, 2010). Weltzin et al. (2012) highlight three aspects of the intervention of eating disorders. To begin with, it is important to set nutritional goals to help in regaining normal weight. Secondly, it is important to identify negative perceptions and attitudes that affect behavior, leading to eating disorders. This is achieved through cognitive group behavioral therapy (CBT). This study supports group CBT and highlights that it aids individuals to freely express themselves. Finally, conditions that interfere with recovery such as substance abuse, obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety should be addressed. Among the prevailing interventions given, such as cognitive behavior therapy and family therapy, a new element of motivation has been incorporated to enhance effectiveness of interventions given. The Readiness and Motivation Therapy (RMT) has been shown to be effective in increasing acceptance to treatment and lowering the cases of dropouts by reducing ambivalence (Geller, Brown & Srikameswaran, 2010).
It is very important to encourage the adolescent population to engage in healthy eating behaviors. Nurses should educate and counsel this population. In a systematic review conducted by Hamel & Robbins (2012), computer and web-based interventions were found to be useful in promoting healthy eating behavior among the adolescents. This systematic review suggests that in addition to education and counseling provided by the nurses, the technology-based interventions can help to reinforce the impact of already delivered information. This study underscores individually tailored interventions. The computer and web-based interventions increase the efficiency of nurses as they spend less time discussing nutritional information, yet it reinforces what is discussed with the nurses. This way, the nurses are able to attend to other more important issues.
Conclusion
According to the literature available on eating disorders among the male adolescent population, men just as women are victims of eating disorders. Most of the present literature has focused on women. It is important that researchers conduct studies targeting men only to clearly differentiate the pathogenesis of these disorders.
References
Geller, J., Brown, K. E., & Srikameswaran, S. (2011). The efficacy of a brief motivational intervention for individuals with eating intervention for individuals with eating disorders: A randomized control trial. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 44(6), 497–505.
Hamel, L. M., & Robbins, L. B. (2012). Computer- and web-based interventions to promote healthy eating among children and adolescents: a systematic review. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 69(1), 16-30.
Weltzin, T. E., Cornella-Carlson, T., Fitzpatrick, M. E., Kennington, B., Bean, P., & Jefferies, C. (2012). Treatment Issues and Outcomes for Males With Eating Disorders. The Journal of Treatment & Prevention, 20(5), 444-459.
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