Eating Disorders in South African Males: A Review of the Clinical Presentation of Hospitalised Patients

Abstract

South African literature on males with eating disorders is scarce. The existence of these disorders in South Africa males requires documentation; hence the current study was under taken. Specifically, the research attempted to identify features that were present in males in a South African hospital setting which specialises in the treatment of eating disorders. This research was then compared to contemporary international literature. The patient sample (n = 17) constituted all males who were admitted into the Eating Disorders Unit of the Tara, H. Morass Centre, during the period 1993 to 2002. The data were collected from a record review and was descriptive in nature. The majority of the sample (76%) was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. The sample was predominantly located in the upper socio-economic classes. The Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) scores displayed an overall deterioration at discharge. Fur ther, body mass index (BMI) increased insufficiently at discharge. This was in contrast to the findings in the relevant literature and may be the result of a shorter hospital admission. High exercise activity was observed and was important diagnostically. Few definitive co-morbid diagnoses were made, except for significant relational difficulties. This was contrary to the findings in the international literature, which strongly indicates mood and obsessive compul sive disorders. While broad generalisations based on this sample are limited, the findings do serve as a departure point for increasing awareness of the disorder in the male population.

Eating disorders, risk and management: a personal journey and a South African and African perspective

“…Moreover, associated clinical issues were somewhat different to the international literature. Specifically it was found that mood and obsessive-compulsive disorders were infrequent but relational difficulties were common in the study by Freeman and Szabo (2005), notably father -son issues. This study thus provided some unique insights, involving a South African patient population.…”

“…Within the South African context there was no such data. A paper by Freeman and Szabo (2005) comprised a review of clinical data of 17 male eating disordered patients admitted for treatment over a period of 10 years (1993 -2002). The majority were diagnosed with anorexia nervosa (76%).…”

“…Whilst the paper by Freeman and Szabo (2005) provided data on clinical cases, an earlier opinion piece had appeared in Playboy magazine on the subject of male eating disorders (Szabo, 1994). Written as an opinion piece, in the Health and Fitness section, it was a direct caution to men and an attempt to sensitize.…”