Gender, Power, and Body. Examining the Prevalence of Eating Disorders Among Males

Research Paper (undergraduate) from the year 2016 in the subject Women Studies / Gender Studies, grade: A, , course: Gastronomy, language: English, abstract: Over the past few decades of research and practice on eating disorders, there has been a severe lack of focus on the prevalence of these disorders among male populations. Given that an estimated 25-40% of males suffer from eating disorders, it is important for research and practice to adopt a nuanced understanding of how and why males are affected by these disorders. This paper provides an analytical lens for understanding the influence of gender and power dynamics in the occurrence of eating disorders among males. By exploring how gender and power manifest on the individual level to influence self-perception and body image, the hope is that this study may contribute to a more nuanced perspective of relevant issues and appropriate methods for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.