Stallone Opens Up About Bulimia as Experts Warn Men Are Struggling in Silence

By Andrew Powell (/journals/andrew-powell)

Sylvester Stallone’s recent disclosure that he developed bulimia while preparing for his role in “Rambo” has drawn attention to a problem experts say remains widely overlooked: eating disorders among men. The 80-year-old Academy Award-nominated actor told The New York Times that his intense focus on changing his body for the 1982 movie became an “obsession.” Stallone said he wanted to develop a more “animalistic” appearance inspired by big cats like jaguars, but the effort eventually led to bulimia. “It became an obsession. Really bad. It got to the point where I became bulimic,” Stallone said. Bulimia nervosa involves recurring episodes of binge-eating followed by behaviors intended to compensate for the food consumed. Those behaviors can include vomiting, fasting, excessive exercise or misuse of laxatives and diuretics, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. According to Fox News, Brian Pollack, a licensed clinical social worker and certified eating disorders specialist at Hilltop Behavioral Health in New Jersey, told the outlet that eating disorders among men are “highly underreported.” The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders estimates that about 30 million Americans experience an eating disorder during their lifetime, with males accounting for roughly one-third of those cases. Pollack said men may experience eating disorders differently from the stereotypes often associated with the conditions. Some become focused on building significant muscle, while others pursue an extremely lean physique through severe food restriction. He said pressure surrounding masculinity and appearance can be particularly influential among adolescent boys. Social media trends and celebrity culture can also contribute to unrealistic expectations about how men should look. Pollack pointed to “looksmaxxing,” a trend involving efforts to alter one's appearance, as one example. He said some young men are taking increasingly extreme measures in pursuit of an idealized appearance. Recognizing the warning signs can be difficult because bingeing and purging are frequently kept secret. Pollack said excessive supplement use, compulsive exercise, highly restrictive diets and escalating use of laxatives or diuretics can signal a problem. Men may also become intensely focused on protein intake, ketogenic diets or eating only foods they consider “clean.” In some cases, severe restriction can contribute to binge episodes followed by attempts to purge. Pollack stressed that eating disorders can affect males from middle school through adulthood. He said conversations about body goals and emotional distress can help families recognize problems that might otherwise remain hidden. Bulimia can also carry serious medical consequences, including electrolyte imbalances, kidney and liver damage, heart complications and severe dental erosion. Repeated purging can also damage the esophagus and contribute to acid reflux and GERD. “This is real, and men are afraid to talk about it,” Pollack said. “There’s a real issue.” Watch the video below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UG7GIDZemv8