Abstract
The aim of the article is to present research findings on the epidemiology and determinants of eating disorders from a gender perspective, as well as to identify possible treatment directions that incorporate a broad range of educational, psychotherapeutic, and sociotherapeutic interventions. The article is based on data collected through a narrative analysis of fifty texts from
databases such as Google Scholar, ResearchGate, PubMed, Scirus, and SSRN (Social Science Research Networks) from the past decade (up to and including 2024). The empirical material indicates that symptoms of eating disorders in men are more frequently associated (compared to women) with difficulties in obtaining an accurate diagnosis (public stigma), self-stigmatization, coexisting body dysmorphic disorders, substance addictions, higher levels of physical activity, experiences of obesity, and gender identity issues. Both the methods used for data collection on eating disorders and the precision of diagnostic criteria for identifying eating disorders (in both DSM and ICD systems) are largely based on research conducted in clinical populations of women.
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