BREAKING THE STIGMA OF EATING DISORDERS AMONG MEN
HALF OF MEN WITH THE ILLNESS DON’T GET ANY HELP. LISA SALMON REVEALS EIGHT WARNING SIGNS SOMEBODY NEEDS SUPPORT
OVER half of men with an eating disorder have never had any treatment, according to new research.
Despite typically being linked with females, males account for a quarter of all eating disorder cases – and many are not getting any support, the eating disorder charity Beat is highlighting
“Eating disorders affect 1.25 million people in the UK, and we estimate one in four of those are men,” says Tom Quinn, Beat’s director of external affairs.
“We surveyed men across the UK about their experiences of an eating disorder and, alarmingly, we discovered over half have never had treatment for their eating disorder, and one in three have never tried to get treatment in the first place.
“There’s a harmful misconception that eating disorders are female illnesses, which creates a great deal of shame and can entrench harmful behaviours for men who are unwell,” Tom adds.
The Beat survey found that as many as seven out of 10 men with eating disorders said that before they became unwell, they’d never heard of or read about another man with an eating disorder.
“In fact, many men said they previously didn’t believe men could develop eating disorders,” Tom points out.
“We know increasing public awareness of men with eating disorders is hugely important, to help widen the understanding of who can be affected by these serious mental illnesses, enable men to recognise warning signs in themselves and others, and reach out for treatment.”
Many of the survey respondents admitted fearing how others would react to their eating disorder, being unaware they needed support, and not knowing what treatment was available.
“The sooner somebody accesses eating disorder treatment, the better their chances of making a full recovery, which is why it’s so concerning that men aren’t getting the treatment they need,” Tom stresses.
“We’d like to reassure any men concerned about their health that having an eating disorder is nothing to be ashamed of. Please reach out to your GP as soon as possible – you deserve help and it is available.”
Every person experiences eating disorders differently, Tom notes – however there are some behavioural, psychological and physical signs people can look out for.
Here, Tom talks us through eight eating disorder warning signs...
1. Mood changes
“Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses, which can often feel all-encompassing, isolating and distressing, and changes in mood can be one of the first things others notice,” says Tom.
Friends and relatives may notice signs somebody is having difficulty sleeping, struggling to concentrate or seems more irritable than usual.
2. Saying they have eaten earlier or later
In an attempt to conceal how much they’re eating, someone with an eating disorder may be evasive about what/when they’ve eaten.
They may also say “they’ve eaten earlier or will eat later, or that they’ve eaten more than they have,” Tom explains. 3.
These can include strict dieting, avoiding food, anxiety about eating in front of people, or taking a very long time to eat meals, says Tom.
“This can signify that somebody has become distressed about their food intake and may be restricting what they eat.”
Behavioural warning signs 4. Food going missing or hiding it
If friends or relatives notice food inexplicably going missing or being hidden, it can indicate somebody’s struggling with binge eating.
“This is a distressing eating disorder behaviour, where those affected eat a large amount of food in a short period of time, and people often feel out of control of what they’re eating,” says Tom.
“This is common for those with bulimia or binge eating disorder.”
5. Going to the bathroom immediately after eating
People with bulimia may experience purging, where they compensate for what they’ve eaten by being sick, taking laxatives or overexercising. “You may notice the person going to the bathroom immediately after eating,” notes Tom.
6. Sensitivity to foods
Some people may be extremely sensitive to the smell or texture of certain foods, which may indicate they’re experiencing avoidant/ restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), which affects roughly 5% of those with eating disorders.
“People with ARFID may have a low interest in eating or struggle to eat enough, which can be linked to sensory-based avoidance or having a distressing experience with food,” explains Tom. 7.
Somebody with an eating disorder may try to burn off the food they’ve eaten by over-exercising.
Tom warns: “You may notice they become fixated on an exercise routine, or feel distressed when exercising isn’t possible.”
Strict fitness routines 8. Physical changes
Physical signs of eating disorders can include weight loss or gain, tiredness and stomach pains – but someone with an eating disorder won’t necessarily be underweight, or a teenage girl.
“’There’s a misconception that you must be underweight in order to have an eating disorder, but eating disorders affect people of all weights, sizes, ages, backgrounds and genders,” Tom stresses.
“While eating disorders can have physical signs such as weight loss or gain, stomach pains or hair loss, it’s important to remember that eating disorders are mental illnesses.
“It’s crucial to look out for the psychological and behavioural symptoms, as these are much more common.”
There’s a harmful misconception that eating disorders are female illnesses, which creates a great deal of shame and can entrench harmful behaviours for men who are unwell Tom Quinn from eating disorder charity, Beat
For more information about eating disorders see Beat’s website – beateatingdisorders.org.uk
Smyrna Welsh Baptist Chapel, Penyfai: Information provided by Smyrna Welsh Baptist Chapel Penyfai.
If you would like to join the congregation at their Sunday worship at 6pm, and future services, please phone Mr Peter David on 01656 659 856.
There is also a Tuesday coffee morning at 10am; and Thursday evening Bible study from 6.30pm8.30pm.
Penyfai Village Community Association:
A warm welcome awaits – croeso cynnes. Please come along for a cuppa and a chat (with free refreshments).
The Penyfai Village Community Association meet at All Saints Church Penyfai every other Wednesday from 9am-11am. Next is March 29 and April 5.
For more information please contact 01656 725 683.
Local Development Plan Bridgend County Borough: Bridgend County Borough Council has submitted proposals for the Replacement Local Development Plan (RLDP) to the Welsh Government and Planning and Environment decisions Wales PEDW for examination.
If and when these plan proposals are adopted, the LDP will replace the existing LDP 2006-2021 and will form the basis for the decisions on the land use planning for the County Borough of Bridgend.
The LDP process is now continuing with the third week of hearing sessions for the Bridgend LDP examination.
Arrangements have now been made by BCBC for members of the public of the County Borough of Bridgend to participate in the hearing. I am attending the LDP hearings online with the inspector appointed, for the examination into the soundness of the Bridgend replacement LDP (2018 -2033).
The submission documents are available to view on the BCBC Council website at http://www. bridgend.gov.uk/residents/ planning/-and-building-control/ developmant-planning / replacement-bridgend-localdevelpment-plan-2018-to-2033/ submission-and-independent -examination/ and electronic access will be available at the council’s civic office and all libraries in the county borough.
Physical copies of all submissions documents will also be available can be view at the council’s civic office.
To view the plans and documents please contact the Bridgend county borough council offices planning department for further information for days and time of viewing for the general public.
The Penyfai Women's Institute ( W I): For further details on meetings and membership of the Penyfai branch of the WI, please contact Adele Hancock on 01656 646 372.
Community Council News: The March monthly meeting of the Newcastle higher Community council was held on on March 14, from 6.30pm at Tondu Primary School Meadow Street Aberkenfig.
Mrs Meryl Wilkins, a member of the public, attended as an invited guest.
There are still ongoing and very real concerns for the Penyfai school children crossing the road in safety.
A Penyfai Church in Wales school crossing patrol person is needed, after many months of advertising this very important post has not been filled by Bridgend County
Borough Council.
The Penyfai Church in Wales School pupils with their parents and grandparents do need help to cross the road in Heol Eglwys, Penyfai, safely.
The Tondu and Aberkenfig Community Association are invited to give a report to the Newcastle Higher Community Councils present, on the ongoing Issues Including Traffic And Highway Congestion experienced by the Pentre Feline residents. Tondu road works and temporary traffic lights have been in operation have added to the congestion at Tondu Bridge Aberkenfig.
A report was given by community councillor Marged Griffiths, the coronation of King Charles III is to be celebrated and permission for the Pheasant Field to be used for the occasion has been agreed, and a further report will be given in next month’s meeting of the Newcastle Higher Community Council.
Litter is always a problem in our communities and the Keep Wales Tidy campaign had a very hard working litter picker that cared for the Aberkenfig and the Tondu communities but has now been lost. The Penyfai litter picker does a very good job of picking up the litter left on Penyfai Common and I do see members of the public also picking up litter and taking the litter home with them on a daily basis. Litter can also cause harm to the wild life by discarded tin cans and bottles. Please take your litter home with you and keep our community litter free.
The hanging baskets of summer flowering plants provided every year has been agreed and taken forward by the Community Council and will be seen again on the lamp posts around the village of Penyfai, Aberkenfig and Tondu.
Further meetings are scheduled for the maintenance committee of the Newcastle Higher Community Council who are going to be very busy this spring with looking after the Aberkenfig Square.
Cleaning of the square and the replanting of the flower beds has been taken forward and the Community Woodlands, Penyfai Road, Aberkenfig are to be inspected by the maintenance committee for any fallen trees and rubbish that have accumulated in the woodland over the winter months.
Maintenance of the pathways and right of way also is the responsibility of the Newcastle Higher Community Council working with BCBC highway department.
More projects are being taken forward including events in the summer months in the Pheasant Field, the continuation of the Summer Play Scheme was also discussed.
For future reference as advised for the Newcastle Higher Community Council meetings, members of the public are welcome to attend the meetings in person or online.
Please contact the Newcastle Higher Community Council
Clerk Adam Davies via email clarknecastlehighercc@gmail.com if you wish attend remotely, no later than 24 hours before the date of the meeting.
The necessary link will then be provided to you by the clerk Adam
Davies.
Councillor Heidi Bennett is the chair of the Newcastle Higher Community Council and is also the Bridgend County Borough Councillor for the Penyfai Ward.
If you need to contact Cllr Heidi Bennett by telephone the number to ring is 07405 208 985 or by email at Cllr.heidi.bennett@bridgend.gov.uk.
Coronavirus: Covid-19 is still with us in Wales. If you have the Covid virus please self-isolate and keep your family and others safe. Information in the media can change very quickly from the Welsh Government.
The message is we must still be cautious with this virus, please stay safe.
Welsh Blood Service: Welsh Government Senedd Member Altaf Hussain has reported that the Welsh Blood Service still needs your help.
Please phone the Welsh Blood service Donor Engagement Coordinator Paul Chiplin on
07795 831 889 or email paul. chiplin@wales.nhs.uk. Your help is appreciated and can save lives.
1st Penyfai Scout Group: Scouting is open to boys and girls under the auspices of the Scout movement. Meetings are held at the Scout and Guide Hall, Court Colman Road, Penyfai (except summer holidays). For boys there is Cubs and Scouts. Please contact by email Zoe Plumley at zoeplumley@outlook. com.
Penyfai Guides: The Penyfai
Guides are looking for children to join the group in Penyfai. Contact Pippa O’Neil on 07480 825 532.