Myth #2: Only teen girls get eating disorders.
Eating disorders do not discriminate based on someone’s gender, age, ethnicity, or socio-economic background. Although women are more commonly diagnosed with eating disorders, 10 million men will be affected by the illness at some point over their lifetime. On the same note, research shows that there is no difference in rates of eating disorders based on racial and ethnic groups, although minorities are less likely to seek and receive help. And even though we often see eating disorders as a teen or young adult issue, rates of eating disorders and body image disorders among older women are increasing.
Eating disorders also disproportionally impact segments of the LGBTQ population, possibly because of the many stressors those who identify as LGBTQ may face, such as coming out, discrimination, and violence, all of which can lead to depression, low-self esteem and unhealthy behaviors like substance abuse. These serious behavioral and mental conditions can be contributing factors in the onset of eating disorders.
