ADDRESSING DISPARITY
Photo : Alan Decker
A Marine veteran breaks the silence behind male anorexia .
BY MICHELLE BRUBAKER
WHILE SERVING IN THE MARINE CORPS , E-4 Officer Colt Gordon was nicknamed “ Superman ” by his fellow servicemen due to his dedication to working out . But behind the muscles was a secret : Gordon suffered from a severe eating disorder .
“ At one point I was only eating apples and pears and obsessively working out ,” says Gordon , a patient at UC San Diego Health .
While most people associate eating disorders with women , millions of men and boys in the United States battle all forms of the illness . The National Association for Males with Eating Disorders reports that 25 to 40 percent of people with eating disorders are male .
“ While male patients often have similar personality characteristics as their female peers , they experience significantly more barriers to treatment ,” says Erin Parks , Ph . D ., director of outreach and admissions with the UC San Diego Eating Disorders Center for Treatment and Research .
For instance , Gordon ’ s eating disorder was complicated by the fact that he never experienced significant weight loss . “ I was complimented on how I looked physically , and it motivated me to continue down this path ,” he says .
It ’ s a common misconception that eating disorders are diagnosed by appearance . “ Many people struggling with eating disorders are of average weight ,” says Parks .
After battling his disorder for six years , Gordon entered the UC San Diego Eating Disorders Center for Treatment and Research , one of the only nonprofit , university‐based treatment centers in the nation that focuses on using scientific findings to improve understanding and treatment of eating disorders .
“ Neuroimaging research has shown that eating disorders are based in the brain ,” says Parks . “ Brains are ‘ wired ’ to have certain personality traits that increase someone ’ s susceptibility to eating disorders .”
Gordon began working with a psychiatrist , dietician and therapist , and attended group sessions as well . Now two years after starting treatment , Gordon is training to be a therapist and has become a mental health advocate in the community .
“ I will never be cured of my eating disorder , but the treatment I received saved me ,” says Gordon . “ I may not be Superman , but I ’ m now very passionate about sharing my story to help others going through a similar journey .”
THE WARNING SIGNS OF ANOREXIA
1 . Eliminating certain food groups from general diet
2 . Over-exercising and sacrificing relationships , hobbies or school / work obligations
3 . Frequently checking weight
4 . Highly critical of appearance
5 . Obsessively reading nutrition information , measuring food or counting calories
For help or to learn more , call 858-534-8019 or visit EATINGDISORDERS . UCSD . EDU
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