Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1459407
13 Unity SUNDAY 13 MARCH 2022 Annabel Cuff Research Support Officer II, Faculty for Social Wellbeing EATING disorders (EDs) are psycho- logical disturbances that seriously endanger sufferers' health and have hugely adverse effects on their psy- cho-social functioning. Although most of the negative effects of EDs can be reversed, especially if the illness is caught early, these disorders greatly impact the life of sufferers and are more widespread than we would like to acknowledge. The most commonly-known EDs are Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder. More re- cently Avoidant/Restrictive Food In- take Disorder has also become increas- ingly recognized and prevalent. However, there are also sub-clinical and a-typical manifestations of these EDs that may be more common in the general population and less recogniza- ble, as there is not the whole range of symptoms of a full-blown ED. Until quite recently it was common- place to view EDs as mainly affecting young females, particularly those com- ing from the middle and upper classes. Research however has shown us that they are far more widespread and do not distinguish by race, religion or eth- nicity, much less gender or socio-eco- nomic background. EDs devastate the lives of males, mid- dle-aged women, LGBT+ persons and ethnic minorities, as well as younger women, although the latter remain the most at-risk population. What the other demographics have in common however, is that they are less likely to get diagnosed, tests designed to pick up eating disorders are not devised with these alternative sufferers in mind, and because of this EDs are of- ten overlooked in these populations. The recognition that males make up about a quarter of eating disorder pa- tients has led to increased study of how these disorders manifest in males. It has become recognised that males often over-exercise rather than restrict eating, that the main aim is to gain muscularity rather than slim down, although both are body-image issues. Since much of the research of EDs is about how they manifest in women, the ways in which male pathways differ from female ED pathways are not fully recognised and bear further investiga- tion. Likewise, as EDs were historically seem as primary relating to young fe- males, the ways in which EDs manifest and develop in older women and even older men are not fully known. It is thought that transitional life-phases such as menopause are times of vulnerability, similar to pu- berty. Since little is known about EDs in older persons, this may hinder rec- ognition and treatment, allowing the disorder to take greater hold, making the effects more severe. Similarly, little is known and very lit- tle research done about EDs in ethnic minorities and members of the LGBT+ community, yet we know that they are also prevalent in these communities. With atypical demographics, there are issues of delayed recognition, the shame and stigma surrounding EDs are even more pronounced in these communities, and there is a lack of support aimed specifically at these communities, so treatment and heal- ing are delay and suffers may to plough on either oblivious to their disorder, or unaware of how to reach out for help. In 2020 the Faculty for Social Well- being, together with Dar Kenn għal Saħħtek, undertook a nationally-rep- resentative study to examine the prev- alence of eating disorders in young people in Malta aged 10-16. The findings were surprising, in that although the study revealed that the majority of young people do not have an eating disorder, it was discovered that for this age group, the number of affected males nearly equals that of fe- males. This study was important as it raised awareness and hopefully recognition of eating disorders in young males as well as females. It was a step in ac- knowledging the difficulties faced by our communities and using empirical evidence to take steps towards putting in place the necessary infrastructure. We would like to see more studies about EDs in all sorts of manifesta- tions, so that persons suffering from these disorders can seek and find the help they need. Eating disorders Not just the girls Research shows us eating disorders are far more widespread and do not distinguish by race or ethnicity, much less gender or socio-economic background < DATA Data compiled by Sagalytics for the Faculty for Social Wellbeing 61% of teenager respondents suspect they know someone who has an eating disorder. The survey suggests that most people are aware of eating dis- orders: 93% say they have heard about eating disorders. When asked to mention some eating disorders, 84% referred to an- orexia while 65% referred to bulimia. But only 12% referred to binge-eating as an eating disorder. The survey also shows that the vast majority (96%) think that eating disorders are se- rious life-threatening condi- tions. 76% also agree that not eat- ing enough to sustain oneself, throwing up after eating, or over-exercising are all symp- toms of eating disorders. But a considerable minority (38%) still blame the victims by subscribing to the mistak- en idea that people with eating disorders are not trying hard enough to eat properly. Slightly over half of women aged under 50 and nearly two-thirds of teens aged 15- 17 said "food dominates their life". In contrast, less than 35% of men and 38% of 18-30 year-olds said likewise