Fridae

A study by Harvard University revealed that gay men are at a greater risk of developing eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia, than are heterosexual men, according to a Reuters Health report.

One hundred and twenty-two men between the ages of 18 and 50 filled out a 30-minute written survey that covered eating habits, sexual orientation, and feelings about body image and masculinity.

Nearly half of the participants were gay or bisexual. The study showed that both body dissatisfaction and eating disorders were much more prevalent among gay men.

About 14% of gay men appeared to suffer from bulimia, while about 20% showed signs of anorexia. Among heterosexual respondents, none was bulimic and only one reported symptoms of anorexia.

Co-author of the study, which was published in the April issue of the International Journal of Eating Disorders, Pamela Keel said: "Homosexuality is associated with increased body dissatisfaction, attempts to lose weight by restricting food intake, and disordered eating patterns such as binge eating and purging."

The study also found that gay men reported higher levels of depression and lower self-esteem than did heterosexual survey respondents.

The researchers suggested that prevention and research efforts to help women combat a culture that promotes body dissatisfaction could be extended to help gay men. They also urge further studies into media coverage and television portrayals of gay men to determine how projected body images affect viewers' opinions of their own bodies and their eating habits.