Website for males with eating disorders launched

A website offering support and advice for men and boys with eating disorders is believed to be the first dedicated solely for males, its founder has said.

Sam Thomas set up the site after realising the lack of help for men who suffer from eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder.

The 23-year-old from Brighton developed bulimia as a teenager after enduring years of bullying at school, but said there was little support on offer for him as a male.

He said one doctor he visited even told him he did not suffer from an eating disorder as they only affected females.

His website, Men Get Eating Disorders Too, offers information on how men can seek help and support by way of discussion forums for users to share advice and encouragement.

It also lists a number of male celebrities who have admitted having issues with food, including former deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and footballer Paul Gascoigne.

“The website acts as a link between individual men with eating disorders and treatment services,” Mr Thomas said.

“The fact that eating disorders are concentrated so much more on female sufferers makes it harder to reach out to men.

“The website puts the information out there, and once they’ve got all the information it makes it a lot more likely they will be able to get help.

“It also eases the feelings of secrecy and isolation that are common to sufferers,” he added.

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