Whilst we haven’t properly dealt with it, we have been fully aware of the issues related to girls and body image. What we may not be aware of, is how rampant body-image conditions such as depression and eating disorders are in our young boys.
Take this recent study by the University of Sydney:
25 per cent of all people with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa are male.
40 per cent of people with a binge eating disorder are male.
42 per cent of males who have eating disorders identify as gay.
45 per cent of Western men are unhappy with their bodies in some way, rising from 15 per cent 25 years ago.
25 per cent of Australian men in a healthy weight range believe they’re fat.
3 per cent of Australian teenage boys use muscle-enhancing drugs like steroids.
One of the key themes in my soon to be released debut novel, My Favourite Comedian’, is body image in young boys. There aren’t many novels pitched at middle years readers that discuss this very serious issue. I recommend that parents and teachers read the novel with their children and discuss the importance of self-acceptance.
Tags: binge eating and boys, Body Image, boys and weight, Childhood Obesity, eating disorders and boys, fat boys, My Favourite Comedian, weight issues and boys, what is healthy weight for boys
Topical Teaching 
Leave a Reply