Oct 01, 2014 08:02 AM EDT By Staff Reporter, UniversityHerald Reporter

Researchers at the University of Montreal have found evidence of anorexia in men and boys.

"Most of the knowledge about anorexia pertains to females. However, about 10% of persons affected are males, and we believe this figure is underestimated," said Laurence Corbeil-Serre, lead author of the study, in a press release. "Our results show that there appear to be similarities between the behavioural symptoms of males and females, but certain particularities can be identified in males, especially related to personality, gender identity, and sexual orientation."

For the study, researchers analysed 24 studies conducted over 15 years and involving 279 participants aged between 11 and 36 years.

"We largely compared males with females because there are many studies and tools for studying anorexia in females, which explains the rather difficult task we had in discovering which symptoms were specific to males," Corbeil-Serre said.

Researchers found that males and females suffering from anorexia share the same fear of gaining weight and "getting fat." Participants in the study were associated with significant weight loss, with an average BMI of 16.1, placing them in a state of malnutrition. In males, dissatisfaction with body image was more linked to muscle mass.

Corbeil-Serre said that physical exercise is preferred more than the traditional food rituals to lose weight. Plus, the rate of homosexuality among participants was higher than the general population.

"We postulate that the importance of physical appearance in the gay community exacerbates the disorder once it is present and results in an overrepresentation of homosexual patients in treatment units. As well, anorexia nervosa may be a way to delay sexual issues for individuals with a conflictual or questioning homosexual orientation," said Corbeil-Serre. 

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