Yesterday, I posted part one of my interview with Leigh Cohn, MAT, CEDS, the publisher of Gurze Books, which specializes in eating disorder publications and awareness. Leigh is also author of Making Weight: Healing Men’s Conflicts with Food, Weight and Shape, so I’m thrilled that he was able to share his insight on the topic of men and body image.

Below, Leigh talked about everything from stereotypes and stigma to self-acceptance and leading a healthy, fulfilling life.

How do you suggest men deal with men’s health magazines and become smarter consumers of the media?

Men and women need to become more media literate. The first line of defense is to not buy or read “health” magazines. Next, they must observe, examine, and reject all media images that are selling products and standards of health that do not promote self-acceptance and moderate, rather than extreme, eating and exercise.

Many men who dislike their bodies feel alone and ashamed because they may view body image issues as a female problem. What would you like these individuals to know?

As I’ve already mentioned, these are not just female problems. It is essential for everyone to realize that these problems are not limited by gender. When someone gets an eating disorder, for example, that disease is the same regardless of their sex. Is alcoholism, OCD, or the common cold a different disease in men than women? No. Same with eating disorders.

When it comes to body image, compulsive exercise and disordered eating, do men face certain special challenges?

In addition to what has already been said, especially regarding the gender stigma, men must contend with stereotypes about what a man is (strong, bread-winner, able to leap tall building with a single stride …) and overcome them. All people, men and women, need to embrace their individuality and own unique assets.

What are some ways men can improve their body image?

Men should not buy into the pressures that I’ve pointed out earlier. One way to learn to accept and appreciate their body image is to understand that body shape is at least 70 percent determined by heredity. Look at your family tree to determine whose body you naturally have. It is extremely difficult to maintain a lower or higher weight than what is naturally given.

With healthy nutrition and moderate exercise, you will have the body that is just right for you. Accept that body, enjoy it, and concern yourself with more important pursuits like integrity, relationships, and loving yourself.

In your book, Making Weight, you talk about the five Don’ts and the ten Do’s for healthy living. Can you briefly talk about a few of these here?

Well, basically they’re about living a healthier, more fulfilling life. That means avoiding excesses of food, exercise, work, saturated fats, drugs, and alcohol. I’m also against weight-loss diets and advocate healthy eating and moderate exercise instead. I once worked with a man who came from a family of morbidly obese men. He weighed close to 400 pounds. I convinced him to stop buying fast food for lunch and brown bagging instead. To eat a small lunch and to spend the rest of his free hour by walking. He cut back on his butter and gravy, started eating smaller portions, and now, a decade later, he has maintained a set point in the mid-200′s. Although he is still obese, he is at a healthy and natural weight.

In Making Weight where we wrote about the Do’s and Don’ts, we warned men to not feel powerless in making changes. Also, we wrote about finding meaning in your life. Men can do that by having committed relationships, emotional self-management, and by being more spiritually connected. Also, it’s important to have a capacity for both work and pleasure, in other words, embracing all aspects of your life.

Thanks for asking me about this book. I want to point out that it has been very well-received and that my coauthors are superb (Arnold Andersen is the world’s foremost authority on males and eating disorders.).

Anything else you’d like Weightless readers to know about body image in men?

Men who have issues with eating disorders and body image need to know that they are not alone or freaks, and that there should be no stigma to coming forward and seeking professional help.

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Thank you, Leigh, for such an informative interview! Again, I want to echo what Leigh has said: There’s no shame or stigma in seeking professional help if you’re struggling with these issues. Recovery is possible, regardless of sex, age, race or any other factor. If you haven’t already, you can read my interview with eating disorder survivor and advocate Patrick Bergstrom here (you’ll also find some resources on eating disorders).

What else would you like to know about men and body image? If you’re a man struggling with these issues, please feel free to share your story below.

I also feature stories from women who’ve recovered from eating disorders, binge eating and other related issues. If you’d like to share your story — whether you’re a man or woman- – send me a quick email at mtartakovsky@gmail.com.

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From Psych Central's website:
PsychCentral (April 14, 2010)

From Psych Central's website:
PsychCentral (April 14, 2010)

More on Men & Body Image: Part 2 of Q&A with Leigh Cohn | Weightless Body On Me (April 14, 2010)

Bigorexia/Muscle Dysmorphia | Dr. Adina McGarr-Knabke (April 14, 2010)

    Last reviewed: 14 Apr 2010