Aging male symptomatology and eating behavior

Male eating disorders in midlife-possible links between excessive sports and hormones

Although eating disorders were long considered a typical female disorder, it is now clear that men are also affected. However, the literature on eating disorders in men is still very limited, and the actual extent is not known. Even less is known about the epidemiology of eating disorders in older individuals. In this focused review, we will present an update of the available data on disordered eating and eating disorders in middle-aged and older males. In addition, we will highlight the relationship of eating disorders with excessive sports as a purging method of choice for this age group and discuss the impact of age-related hormonal imbalances in aging men.

Update on the epidemiology and treatment of eating disorders among older people

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

We reviewed the recent literature on the epidemiology and treatment of eating disorders among middle-aged and older women and men.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent studies show that among older female persons, the prevalence rates with full diagnoses of eating disorders based on DSM-IV or DSM-5 criteria are between 2.1 and 7.7%, and among older men less than 1%. These studies show that the prevalence of eating disorders decreases by age in women, but it does not get towards zero even in very high age. Middle age, with a peak around 50, is also a critical time for the occurrence of eating disorders in men. Women who reported severe menopausal symptoms showed more eating disorder pathology compared with those with low symptoms during menopausal transition.

SUMMARY

Eating disorders do occur in middle and older age of both sexes. Shame and stigmatization have decreased, and medical awareness and explicit assessment of eating behavior in all age groups have developed. What puberty is for eating disorders in adolescence and young age is menopausal transition for midlife women. Also in men, associations with hormonal disturbances are possible. Treatment approaches should consider treatment strategies tailored to older women and men, addressing the context of midlife and aging.

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.

Gonadal Hormone Influences on Sex Differences in Binge Eating Across Development

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Binge eating is a transdiagnostic symptom that disproportionately affects females. Sexually dimorphic gonadal hormones (e.g., estradiol, testosterone) substantially impact eating behavior and may contribute to sex differences in binge eating. We examine recent evidence for the role of gonadal hormones in binge eating risk across development.

RECENT FINDINGS

Both organizational (long-lasting impact on the central nervous system (CNS)) and activational (transient influences on the CNS) hormone effects may contribute to sex differences in binge eating. Gonadal hormones also impact within-sex variability in binge eating, with higher estradiol levels in females and higher testosterone levels in males protective across development. Emerging evidence suggests that the impact of gonadal hormones may be greatest for people with other risk factors, including genetic, temperamental (e.g., high negative affect), and psychosocial (e.g., exposure to weight-based teasing) risk. Gonadal hormones contribute to sex differences and within-sex variability in binge eating across development.

Androgen deficit changes the response to antidepressant drugs in tail suspension test in mice

Depressive symptoms are throughout our life, especially in the older population, the sex hormones reduction link to a high risk of depression. In this study, we investigated whether bilateral orchiectomy (ORX) modifies mice behaviors and antidepressant drugs effects through tail suspension test (TST). We evaluated behavioral changes at 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, and up to 2 months after ORX. The behavior responses to doxepin, fluoxetine, and venlafaxine at 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, and 2 months after ORX were evaluated. No apparent difference was detected among the durations of immobility of the control group, sham operation group, and ORX group in the TST at 1 week and 2 weeks after ORX. But the immobility time of ORX group was obvious longer than that of both control group and sham operation group at 1 month and 2 months after ORX. Only the antidepressant effect of venlafaxine was observed at 1 week and 2 weeks after ORX, while the antidepressant response to fluoxetine decreased 1 month and 2 months after ORX. The response to antidepressant drugs was strongly modified in ORX mice. Our results suggest that not all antidepressant drugs are suitable for depression with androgen deficiency.HighlightsMice with low androgen were more prone to depression-like behaviors.The response to antidepressants changed under the condition of low androgen in mice.Not all antidepressant drugs are appropriate for patients with low androgen.

Differences in male climacteric symptoms with aging among rotating night shift workers

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to clarify the actual status of male climacteric symptoms in rotating night shift workers and how to cope with the symptoms.

METHODS

We planned a self-administered questionnaire survey in male rotating night shift workers. Male climacteric symptoms were evaluated by using the Aging Males' Symptoms (AMS) scale.

RESULTS

Of 1891 questionnaires that were sent, 1561 were collected. There were significant differences in total AMS scores among the age groups. In all age groups, there were high proportions of men with increased need for sleep and often feeling tired (64.9%) and decrease in muscular strength (60.7%). There were significant differences in AMS scores for somatic symptoms between men in their 20 s and those in their 40 s or 50 s and between men in their 30 s and those in their 50 s and in AMS scores for sexual symptoms between men in their 20 s and those in their 30 s, 40 s, 50 s or 60 s, between men in their 30 s and those in their 40 s, 50 s or 60 s and between men in their 40 s and those in their 50 s or 60 s.

CONCLUSION

Significant age-dependent differences are found in somatic symptoms and sexual symptoms in rotating night shift workers.

Association of socio-demographic, behavioral, and comorbidity-related factors with severity of periodontitis in Turkish patients

Objective: To assess the prevalence of comorbidities and periodontal diseases severity in dental patients and to determine the socio-demographic, behavioral, and comorbidity-related predictors of periodontal diseases severity.Material and methods: This retrospective study sample consisted of 2458 patients who referred to faculty dentistry clinic. Socio-demographic, behavioral, and comorbidity characteristics of study participants were collected using hospital database and self-reported questionnaire. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were used to analyze study data.Results: Of these patients, 55.2% had mild-to-moderate periodontitis and 44.8% had severe periodontitis. The severity of periodontal disease was significantly associated with the presence of comorbidity, the number of comorbidities, age, gender, income level, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Patients with severe periodontitis were more likely being a current smoker, to report drinking alcohol sometimes or every day, to be a male, to have a pulmonary disease, to have an endocrinological and metabolic disorder, to have a cardiovascular disorder and to have a neurological disorder than those with mild/moderate periodontitis. Having a hematological disorder, having a muscle, skeletal and connective tissue disorder, to be a current smoker and lower age were found to be predictors of moderate periodontitis whereas being a female and lower number of comorbidities were predictors of mild periodontitis.Conclusions: The severity of periodontitis was associated with socio-demographic, behavioral, and comorbidity characteristics of periodontal patients.

A review and integrated theoretical model of the development of body image and eating disorders among midlife and aging men

Etiological models of the development of eating disorders among midlife and aging men are lacking. The present study provides a review and integration of existing theoretical frameworks and empirical data relevant to the examination of eating pathology in this population and introduces an integrated model of risk and protective factors for the development of eating disorder symptoms. Several etiological models of eating pathology that have gained some empirical support, or present relevance to this population, are briefly reviewed including sociocultural theory, objectification theory, social identity theory, positive body image and the developmental theory of embodiment, and existential and terror management theory, and finally biologically based theories. In addition, these frameworks were extended to account for developmental and gender-specific factors that may influence the development of eating disorders. An integrated model of risk and protective factors that brings together critical elements of these extended theoretical frameworks is presented, with the goal of guiding and stimulating research in this neglected group.