6 Male Celebrities with Eating Disorders
What are Eating Disorders?
Eating Disorders are behavioral conditions that result in unhealthy eating patterns. These patterns impact an individual’s social, emotional, psychological, and physical well-being. Eating Disorders are developed due to the following reasons –
- Genetic Factors
- Strive for perfectionism due to inferiority complex
- Neuroticism
- Getting Influenced by unrealistic ideals set on social media
- Cultural ideals
What are the types of Eating Disorders?
Following are the 4 major types of eating disorders (a few of them are also in male celebrities with eating disorders which will be discussed in the next section).
- Anorexia Nervosa
This disorder is characterized by feelings of inadequacy in maintaining a “good figure”. Generally, this is a result of having a distorted body image by identifying oneself with unrealistic ideals. It involves starvation or too much exercise.
- Bulimia Nervosa
This eating disorder is critical as it involves binge eating followed by vigorous exercise or other serious steps to avoid weight gain.
- Binge eating Disorder
Binge-eating disorder means continuously munching on large portions of food. This behavior is followed by guilt and embarrassment which forces the individual to eat in isolation.
- Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
This disorder hinders the proper nutritional intake of an individual. It is caused due to lack of interest in eating or compulsively assessing the consequences of eating.
Here is a List of 6 Male Celebrities with Eating Disorders
1. Zayn Malik
First on our list of male celebrities with eating disorders is one of our most beloved boy-band members – Zayn Malik. It is no surprise that Zayn Malik is open to the media about his internal phases. In 2016, Zayn opened up about his eating disorder that surfaced during his time with One Direction. According to Zayn, during his time as a member of the band, Zayn would feel that everything was out of his control and eating was the only act that could be controlled. He would go on not eating anything for days and realized this unhealthy pattern only after leaving the band.
It is applaudable how Zayn is upfront about his anxiety and admitted his struggle and coping strategies with the media.
2. Eminem
Eminem is the next brand name on this list of male celebrities with eating disorders. All of Eminem’s fans are very well aware of his distressing drug abuse phase in the first decade of the 2000s. It was described as serious as him being 2 hours away from death before doctors handled the situation. Although this incident was a big realization moment for him, it contributed to his eating order.
Eminem had developed a hole in the lining of his stomach and in an attempt to satiate his hunger and soothe the odd pain arising in his stomach he would binge-eat which further deteriorated his physical condition.
After finally recovering from his negative patterns of abuse and eating, Eminem appeared in the media as an improved and happier version.
3. Russell Brand
Third on the list of male celebrities with eating disorders is Russell Brand. Russell Brand’s eating disorder springs from rather upsetting childhood trauma. Rusell has opened up about being bullied and sexually abused which ultimately leads to PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and is the cause of his eating disorder. From a psychological perspective, PTSD reflects negative views of self and the individual suffering from an eating disorder will develop even more low-esteem.
Russell was previously diagnosed with Bipolar disorder but presently continues to maintain improved health.
4. Elton John
Who do we spot next? It is a music legend – Elton John – on our list of male celebrities with eating disorders. Elton John’s experiences with drugs, addiction, and bulimia are no secret but the celebrity himself has acknowledged the presence of the condition only after he admitted, “I need help.” With a splendid career and record-breaking presence, it is notable that Elton John is another male celebrity with an eating disorder who openly admits his struggle with psychological and medical conditions. Elton has admitted his concerns regarding binge eating and weight control in the 90s and the open declaration helped him to acknowledge all his feelings.
This presents itself as an uplifting example for anyone with any kind of disorder.
5. Richard Simmons
Next on the list of male celebrities with eating disorders is Richard Simmons. Richard Simmons suffered from Anorexia. Since Richard became concerned about being obese during his adolescent years he started losing weight with determination, which after a certain point of time became impossible to stop. He was even hospitalized because he was suddenly underweight. This chapter of Richard’s life featured his eating disorder wherein every food item became a demon for his appetite.
Gradually, Richard developed healthy and simple eating habits over time and has been a workout guru since.
6. Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran is also one of the male celebrities with eating disorders. The singer-songwriter’s name comes as no surprise due to the normalcy portrayed in the above illustrious examples. Ed Sheeran admitted that he has an addictive personality which led him to binge-eating until a distasteful consequence occurred. Ed adversely increased his appetite for food and drinks which made him miserable and self-condemning. In 2019, Ed had an enlightening moment while reading Elton John’s book and related the episode of binge eating ice-creams till he vomited. This made Ted realize the importance of changing his lens to see the world and habits to practice on self.
The singer-songwriter then took a break and with the help of his wife Cherry transformed himself into a healthier version of a mellifluous artist.
The above list is created to emphasize normalizing male eating disorders and acceptance of negative defense mechanisms while trying to transform into a healthier self.
