MEN DO GET IT: EATING DISORDERS IN MALES FROM AN ASIAN PERSPECTIVE

Objective: to examine the clinical features of male patients with eating disorders in singapore; and determine the differences in clinical features between the patients across the diagnostic categories. methods: this is a database analysis of all male cases presenting to the eating disorders clinic at singapore general hospital between 2003 and 2012. results: 72 cases were identified; 36.1% were diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, 33.3% had bulimia nervosa and 30.5% had the diagnosis of eating disorder not otherwise specified. the mean presenting age was 19.9 years. 63.9% were heterosexual, while 15.3% were homosexual/bisexual. 61.1% had comorbid psychiatric diagnoses, with depression being the most common. 59.7% recorded premorbid obesity, while 66.7% reported excessive exercise. the patients in the various diagnostic categories had more similarities than differences. conclusion: with more male cases over the years, it is important to further understand this condition, to better refine prevention, detection and treatment strategies