Faced with these pressures, many American boys may be increasingly predisposed to disordered body image and eating problems. Most men and women with eating disorders struggle with expressing their emotions. Show empathy for your son and demonstrate good listening skills. Fathers and male mentors are particularly helpful here. They can help break down the stereotype that intimacy and emotional expression are unmasculine.
Men often have less information and more distorted information about eating disorders.
As a parent you can educate yourself about eating disorders in general and especially in men. Then when you discuss your son's eating disorder with him you can encourage his raised consciousness and increased knowledge about his disordered eating issues. Don't be afraid to talk about the eating disorder with your son. It is an illness just like any other. It may be more embarrassing to your son than many other illnesses but your tactful frankness can be a help.