Eating disorders in men more common than prostate cancer, as numbers continue to climb
Media Celebrity and Sports Commentator Mark Beretta urges Australians to ‘Spot Your Mate’ in his new role as an Ambassador for Butterfly Foundation, the national charity for eating disorders and body image issues.
There are an estimated 365,000 men in Australia currently experiencing an eating disorder — around 46% more men than those living with or beyond a prostate cancer diagnosis.
The number of men and boys suffering from food and exercise related issues is likely to be considerably higher, given the high rates of stigma, and low levels of understanding among health professionals and the community about eating disorders and body image issues in males.
Research shows rates of eating disorders in males are increasing at a faster rate than for females [1], with hospital admissions increasing at a higher rate than for females across states and territories. In Queensland alone, there was a six-fold increase in public hospital admissions for males with eating disorders from 2010 to 2019 [2].
Mark Beretta and Butterfly are urging people to spot the signs of issues around food, exercise and body image, and intervene early in a new national campaign. Spot Your Mate is designed to spark conversations and encourage help-seeking for one of Australia’s largest unrecognised men’s health issues.
Having spent decades of his media career working with elite athletes, Mark Beretta knows all too well the damage that body image issues and eating disorders can do to boys and young men, both on the sports field and off.
“None of us is immune. I’ve seen many body image issues and problematic thoughts and behaviours in men go under the radar, which just exacerbates the problem. Men don’t talk about these issues – but we need to start,” Mark said.
“I’m thrilled to join Butterfly Foundation as an Ambassador to spread awareness about eating disorders in men and boys in particular, and encourage people to intervene early before these mental illnesses become life-threatening.”
Butterfly CEO Jim Hungerford said Spot Your Mate aims to bring national attention to one of Australia’s largest unrecognised men’s health issues.
“From ‘looksmaxxing’ to ‘bulking up’ in the gym and ideas around ‘masculinity’ and ‘control’, men and boys are under increasing pressure to abide by appearance ideals and beauty standards – and it’s impacting their mental health,” he said.
“As we approach Men’s Health Week in June, it’s never been more important to include eating disorders and body dissatisfaction in the conversation and intervene early – lives depend on it.
“We’re honoured to work with Mark Beretta, along with men with a lived experience of an eating disorder, to break down stigma and encourage help-seeking for those impacted by eating disorders and body dissatisfaction.”
For Alec White Cheshire, a 29 year old man living in Tasmania, spreading awareness that eating disorders don’t have a ‘look’ is critically important.
“I was diagnosed with Anorexia at 10 years old, and lived with the illness for 19 years. Throughout my journey, I have experienced the lack of understanding, lack of treatment options and being looked upon as someone who cannot suffer from an eating disorder,” he shared.
For nearly two decades, Alec navigated the complex and isolating experience of living with anorexia. He was working, training, and progressing in a physically demanding career as a cable jointer in the electrical utilities industry, but behind that exterior, he was managing an illness that is frequently misunderstood, under-recognised in men, and too often dismissed.
“We need more people to realise that men and boys can be impacted, and that there’s no shame in talking about these issues or reaching out for help,” he said.
As part of Spot Your Mate, Butterfly has developed new resources designed to educate people on early eating disorder warning signs, and a discussion guide for talking about appearance ideals, such as looksmaxxing and pressures to achieve a muscular body – concerns that are increasingly affecting boys and men. Health professionals can also access guidance on how to recognise the signs and symptoms that something might be wrong – which might present very differently in boys and men.
Spot Your Mate is Butterfly’s second male-focused campaign, thanks to generous funding from the Paul White Foundation in honour of Joe Cappello, a very courageous and selfless young man who passed away after a 13-year battle with an eating disorder.
Joe’s family are committed to raising awareness about eating disorders in men to ensure others do not have to suffer as Joe did.
To find out more, visit https://butterfly.org.au/eating-disorders-body-image/who-does-it-affect/males/
-ENDS-
Media Contact:
Zoe Bradbury – Butterfly Communications Manager
Ph: 0400 585 855
E: zoe.bradbury@butterfly.org.au
About Butterfly Foundation
Butterfly is the national charity for all Australians impacted by eating disorders and body image issues, and for the families, friends and communities who support them. Butterfly changes lives by providing innovative, evidence-based support services, treatment and resources, prevention and early intervention programs, and by advocating for the needs of our community.
Editor and producers note:
Please include the following support line details in all media coverage of this story and refer to the Mindframe Media Guidelines for safe reporting on eating disorders. Please include the following helpline message.
Help and Support
Anyone needing support with eating disorders or body image issues is encouraged to contact:
- Butterfly National Helpline on 1800 33 4673 (1800 ED HOPE) or visit butterfly.org.au to chat online or email, 7 days a week, 8am-midnight (AEST/AEDT).
- Eating Disorders Victoria Helpline on 1300 550 23
- For urgent support call Lifeline 13 11 14
[1] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6785984/
[2] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12634887/
