Service Provision for Men with Eating Issues in Australia: An Analysis of Organisations', Practitioners', and Men's Experiences

Abstract

Research was undertaken to explore issues surrounding service provision for men with eating issues in Australia. Qualitative and quantitative data were gathered from key stakeholders—organisations that provide treatment (n=15), practitioners that have worked with men with eating issues (n=10), and individual men with eating issues (n=5). Four key areas were explored: rates of access to services, the expression and development of eating issues in men, factors inhibiting or facilitating the recovery process, and recommendations to improve service provision. Results highlighted the need for increased awareness about men's eating issues within society generally, but for health professionals specifically, the need for better recognition of the expression of eating issues in men, and the expansion of existing services to be more “male friendly”. It is anticipated that service providers will benefit from these findings by identifying ways to reduce barriers and encourage help-seeking behaviour in men. Future research should seek to replicate and expand these findings using a larger sample size.

关于如何向有饮食问题的 男性提供服务，在以往有过研究。我们收集的定性、定量资料来自主要的相关方，即提供治疗的机构（15个）、为有饮食问题的男性提供服务的实践者（10位）、有饮食问题的男性（5位）。本文对四个方面进行了探讨：服务的获得率、男性饮食问题的表达和发展、不利和有利康复过程的因素、对改进服务提供的建议。研究结果强调全社会需要提高对饮食问题的关注，而健康工作者则特别需要更好地认识男性饮食问题的表达，以及扩大服务使之更为关照男性。服务的提供者由于得到到了克服障碍、鼓励男性寻求帮助的办法，而从这些研究成果中受益匪浅。将来的研究应当使用更大的样本来重复并扩展这些发见。

Keywords:

• Eating Disorders
• Eating Issues
• Men
• Service Provision

Acknowledgements

The project funding provided by Queensland Government, Department of Health is acknowledged.