In fact, Tracy was just an alias name that he used when corresponding with other sufferers. By allowing me not to know his gender, he made me realize how very much alike we were. He has never felt he could confide in friends or other team mates about his disorder and feels males are often more isolated than women who suffer. In result, Tracy has never received professional help or treatment for his disorder. It is almost like he has been victimized once by his eating disorder and then secondly by society.
Men develop eating disorders mainly for the same reasons why women do.
Many have suffered some kind of abuse during their lives and many suffer from low self esteem. They often dislike themselves as many women and are unable to express emotions and pain they feel inside. Many men may also suffer from depression and can't seem to cope or deal with emotions or personal issues in their lives. Many men have been overweight and started dieting until they lost control and many have received great praise and attention for their weight loss which kept them eager to keep going. Many overweight males may have been teased and picked on about their weight by others during childhood or adult years.