Disordered eating symptoms in Austrian men of different ages in the context of fitness centers

PURPOSE: To assess eating behavior and associated factors in male fitness-center attendees. METHODS: An anonymous questionnaire was administered to male fitness center members of Innsbruck (Austria), aged 18–80 years to assess socio-demographic features, weight history, sports activity, eating behavior including disordered eating based on the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) and DSM-5 key symptoms for eating disorders (anorexia nervosa, binge eating, bulimia nervosa, purging disorder) and body image. Three age groups (younger—middle-aged—older men) were compared regarding the variables described above. RESULTS: A total of 307 men included displayed high rates of disordered eating as described by EDE-Q cutoff scores (5–11%) as well as by DSM-5 eating disorder symptoms (10%). While EDE-Q cutoff scores did not differentiate between the groups, the prevalences of DSM-5 eating disorder symptoms yielded significant differences indicating a clear decrease with increasing age. Binge eating and bulimic symptoms with excessive exercising as the purging method were the most often reported symptoms. CONCLUSION: Although described as typically female, disordered eating does occur in male fitness-gym attendees across all ages. The older the men, the less prevalent are the symptoms. Awareness of disordered eating and possible negative effects need to be addressed for attendees and trainers of the gym. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: V—descriptive survey study.