Unlike anorexia, however, bulimia is not something competitive and does not aid the person in losing any weight. That does not mean that all patients are female, but I have only worked with one male patient in my 10 years as a therapist here at Drake. Most men confirm that they are not comfortable talking about their bodies. Men tend to be more carefree about their eating habits. However, there is a small percentage who do make a conscious effort to lower their fat intake.
Society plays a large part in how women are perceived.
In such a large and ethnically diverse society, it seems as if individualism and different body sizes should be more widely accepted. Anderson also pointed out that there are social and cultural links to anorexia and bulimia. But there are many expectations that are handed down for the female in American society. Overcoming some of these labels will be the most difficult part. Approaching a friend you suspect has an eating disorder can be a very sensitive issue because most people do not know enough about the topic.