Personality in men with eating disorders.

Overview

OBJECTIVE: This study compares personality variables of men with eating disorders to women with eating disorders. METHOD: Data were obtained from an international study of the genetics of eating disorders. Forty-two male participants were age-band matched at 1:2 ratio to females from the same study. Personality features were compared between males and females controlling for diagnostic subgroup. RESULTS: Males with eating disorders appear to be slightly less at risk for perfectionism, harm avoidance, reward dependence, and cooperativeness than females. Few differences were found when diagnostic subgroup was considered. CONCLUSION: Observed differences in personality variables may help explain the difference in incidence and prevalence of eating disorders in men and women.