Eating Disorders in South African Males: A Review of the Clinical Presentation of Hospitalised Patients

Abstract

South African literature on males with eating disorders is scarce. The existence of these disorders in South Africa males requires documentation; hence the current study was undertaken. Specifically, the research attempted to identify features that were present in males in a South African hospital setting which specialises in the treatment of eating disorders. This research was then compared to contemporary international literature. The patient sample (n = 17) constituted all males who were admitted into the Eating Disorders Unit of the Tara, H. Morass Centre, during the period 1993 to 2002. The data were collected from a record review and was descriptive in nature. The majority of the sample (76%) was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. The sample was predominantly located in the upper socio-economic classes. The Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) scores displayed an overall deterioration at discharge. Further, body mass index (BMI) increased insufficiently at discharge. This was in contrast to the findings in the relevant literature and may be the result of a shorter hospital admission. High exercise activity was observed and was important diagnostically. Few definitive co-morbid diagnoses were made, except for significant relational difficulties. This was contrary to the findings in the international literature, which strongly indicates mood and obsessive compulsive disorders. While broad generalisations based on this sample are limited, the findings do serve as a departure point for increasing awareness of the disorder in the male population.