Anorexia increasingly male, affects one man in 4 women

Out of 3 million anorexia patients in Italy, one in every 4 women is a male. If the disease has so far been considered only 'female', the expert data opens up a new scenario. But they also explain that being the condition generally thought to be 'girls', males receive later diagnoses, in addition to the fact that they fear stigma.
The endocrinologists of AMA talk about the topic, who underline how the doctors themselves underestimate the problem, 'because of a diagnostic prejudice of gender'. The age at which the disease occurs as well as for girls is around 14-15 years. Cases have also been recorded in the last few years starting from the age of nine. "" For years, researchers have excluded men from studies and standardized clinical and diagnostic protocols only on the female population, "explains Simonetta Marucci, an endocrinologist expert in eating behavior disorders.

"The anorexia of men - he adds - has manifestations in part similar to those of the female sphere but often the obsession for physical fitness can be expressed through compulsive sports, in addition to harmful eating behavior". Another disease that has always been "read" to women is precocious puberty, which has been anticipated more and more in the last half century. And contrary to popular belief, it's not just about females. "The presence of pollutants in the environment and in food alters this physiological process even anticipating it by 2-3 years. Early puberty can be treated, but its therapy must always be decided on a case by case basis by a specialist and shared with the parents" , says Vincenzo Toscano, past president of AME. (HANDLE).