Eating disorders like Bulimia Nervosa and Anorexia were thought to have affected only women, but according to one of North America’s leading experts on anorexia and bulimia nervosa, the effects of eating disorders can now also be seen in men.

In the past few years, researchers have concluded that at least one in four people suffering from such eating disorders are males.

University of B. C. Professor Dr. Laird Birmingham, Senior Scientist with the Child and Family Research Institute in Vancouver, thinks that earlier people were of the view that the eating disorders were only prevalent amongst females, but now the similar disorders can also be seen in men.

According to a survey done in Vancouver, Birmingham found that different reasons were given by men and women for their disorders. Women wanted to reduce body fat and weight, while men wanted to gain more, for which they consumed more amount of protein.

Birmingham has even come across boys as young as 12 who have had suffered eating disorders. His patients have belonged to the age group of 16 to 60.