Characteristics of men with persistent thinness.
OBJECTIVE
Although Western society is increasingly obesogenic, some individuals maintain low weights. Thin women manifest fewer eating disorders and higher self-esteem. However, little is known about persistently thin men.


METHODS
Participants completed measures of demographics, psychiatric history, body size, eating behavior, and personality.


RESULTS
Thinness was associated with less eating pathology. Thin men were more likely to meet criteria for generalized anxiety disorder (odds ratio = 2.46).


CONCLUSIONS
Persistent thinness may protect men from eating disorders.
Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, P.O. Box 842018, Richmond, VA 23284-2018, USA. semazzeo@vcu.edu.
Suzanne E
SE
Mazzeo
Rita M
RM
Slof
Federica
F
Tozzi
Kenneth S
KS
Kendler
Cynthia M
CM
Bulik
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010551:Personality; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013851:Thinness / Q000523:psychology*