It’s Not About The Food

1 in 3 diagnosed eating disorders are male yet only 10% of those diagnosed seek help. When you consider leading research that suggests large numbers of men don’t self-identify as having eating disorders and face systemic barriers in diagnosis, the actual prevalence of the issue could be much higher. And yet, for a condition that causes more fatalities for men than our national road toll, urgency and a tailored approach are severely lacking.

This is a cultural problem. All over the world, from generation to generation, boys and men are told not to seek help and are expected to swallow their shame. Meanwhile social media, targeted advertising and gym culture serve up a toxic cocktail of unrealistic and harmful male body standards. What it’s amounted to is a crisis born of these antiquated notions of masculinity, preventing early intervention and perpetuating bias which limits young men’s ability to access adequate care.

IT’S NOT ABOUT THE FOOD aims to drive urgent discourse and awareness around the issue of male eating disorders. In doing so we will reveal its root causes and how it presents differently in men, encourage young men to identify with the issue and seek help, create awareness among their loved ones and those that provide care, and highlight the inadequacies in the community and health sectors when it comes to care of males experiencing an eating disorder. Ultimately, we aim to contribute to a societal shift which sees young men receive the care they so desperately need.

OUTCOMES
SHORT-TERM
Awareness and understanding of male eating disorders, its root causes and how it presents, among young men, their families, healthcare providers and wider community
Increased connection as young men see themselves through the on-screen stories
Discussion and reflection on the issue, one’s own experiences with body image (and that of loved ones)
Knowledge of how to seek help (or seek help for a loved one)
Donations and other support directed toward organisations addressing the issue

MEDIUM-TERM
Inspire eating disorder care providers and advocacy organisations to take urgent action to address the issue
Increased number of individuals who identify as having an eating disorder seek help
Families and communities have increased empathy and understanding for young men who suffer from eating disorders

LONG TERM
Increased diagnosis of male eating disorders
Tailored services and approaches to care for males
Increased funding for healthcare research related to male eating

As a lived experience survivor our director and lead participant Jason has forged a strong connection and partnership with the community and its organisations.

Eating Disorders Victoria are lockstep in their backing and support for the project, helping shape our duty of care protocols for participants and audience and providing feedback from the frontline as a first responder to those seeking help.

Relationships with Orygen and The University of Melbourne ensures we have access to the latest research and crucial data around root causes and how they impact future treatment programs, whilst The Royal Children’s Hospital and On Core Nutrition continue to provide research and advice on clinical practice.

The Resilience Project is advising and supporting our educational outreach to amplify awareness in schools. We know from their experience working with our target audience of young men, that they respond better to uncomfortable conversations through the experience and safe space that a film provides, where they can reflect and talk about their own experience, through the stories of others first.

Reflect and talk about your own experience with body image (and that of loved ones).
Learn more about male eating disorders and connect with resources, including ways to seek help.
Donate to organisations that provide care to men who identify with an eating disorder and advocate for eating disorder awareness and research.
Host a screening in your local community, or for your organisation.
Specifically for leadership in eating disorder organisations – take urgent action to address the issue and make this a strategic goal for your organisation.