Male eating disorders and therapy: A controlled pilot study with one year follow-up

ObjectivesTo examine whether outpatient treatment for male patients with bulimic symptomatology is as effective as it is for females.MethodThe outcome of 19 male patients was compared to that of 150 female eating disorder (ED) individuals after a group CBT treatment.ResultsA reduction in ED symptomatology was observed after treatment for both genders. Main effects for gender indicated that after collapsing across the mean pre/post values, lower mean scores were found for men in the EAT-40, in the EDI-total score and in the following EDI subscales: “drive for thinness”, “body dissatisfaction” and “interoceptive awareness”.ConclusionsA group CBT treatment appears to be effective for male and female ED patients.