National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (NEDA): Who's Affected?

Today marks the beginning of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. 

Though eatihg disorders are often thought to only be a female problem, statistics show that many males can also be affected by it. 

According to Doctor Alix Timko, an assistant psychology professor at the University of Sciences in Philadelphia and director of the school's Eating Disorder Research Program, she found that these type of health issues were much more common than previously thought and in both sexes.

"The research in general shows that eating disorders are more common than we initially thought, and not only do they not just occur in young women, but they are actually common in men and boys," she said, via CBS Philly. "The most common age of onset for eating disorders is during adolescence."

Timko adds that obsessing over one's outward appearance can be a tell-tale sign of a problem.

This year's NEDAwareness week theme is titled "Everybody Knows Somebody," to better rise awareness and commonality with the health issue. Last year, the organization notes that the week's registrants all 50 states and 30 countries.

These serious health issues that can affect both men and women, and often involve many treatments that can help during difficult flares with the problem.  Sychotherapy or various forms of psychological counseling are often used. For others, some may also need antidepressants or other medications to work cope. 

To get help for an eating disorder, call the National Eating Disorders hotline at 1-800-931-2237.