TORRANCE, Calif. — The COVID-19 pandemic has not only disrupted lives globally, but has also led to a dramatic rise in eating disorders among children, teens and young adults. Hospitalization rates for those with eating disorders have doubled in certain demographics, including teenagers.

Amidst this worrying trend, one group’s battle remains largely not discussed: men.

What You Need To Know

  • Hospitalization rates for those with eating disorders have doubled in certain demographics since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic

  • Eating disorders are considered among the most lethal psychiatric conditions

  • Approximately one-third of individuals grappling with eating disorders are male, according to the National Eating Disorders Association
  • It's estimated that eating disorders will impact 10 million U.S. males at some point in their life

Delfino Camacho, a student at El Camino College and a native of Compton, knows the reality of this struggle all too well. A decade ago, his college experience was marred by a battle with an eating disorder. 

"You see the person looking at themselves and they're very thin, then they look in the mirror and they are really big,” Camacho said of his distorted self-image. “It’s such a cliche, but it was spot on.”

High school was a challenging time for Camacho. Once known for his outgoing and cheerful demeanor, he faced relentless bullying due to his weight, which peaked at 285 pounds in his senior year. 

“It makes you feel weak,” he said.

Seeking a new beginning in college, Camacho embarked on a journey to a healthier lifestyle. However, this pursuit quickly turned into an unhealthy obsession, culminating in a drastic weight loss of nearly 150 pounds in just over a year. 

Although never formally diagnosed, Camacho believes he was suffering from anorexia nervosa, a disorder characterized by severe food restriction. His battle also included bouts of bulimia, where he forced himself to vomit after consuming large amounts of food.

“I just have memories of turning on the water just for the noise so that they couldn't hear me, you know, throwing up,” he said. 

Contrary to the common misconception that eating disorders predominantly affect women, the National Eating Disorders Association reports that approximately one-third of individuals grappling with these disorders are male. Moreover, behaviors associated with eating disorders, such as binge eating, purging, laxative misuse and fasting for weight control, are almost as prevalent in men as in women.

In the United States, it's estimated that eating disorders will impact 10 million males at some point in their life.

Dr. Stuart Murray, director of the Eating Disorders Program at USC, underscores the significant stigmas that often deter men and boys from seeking treatment. 

“The vast majority of my patients, by the time I meet with them, have said, ‘I’ve had this for years and never told anybody,’” he said..

The pandemic, according to Dr. Murray, has significantly intensified these disorders, now considered among the most lethal psychiatric conditions.

Now 30, Camacho serves as the editor-in-chief of the El Camino College newspaper. He recently wrote an article about his experiences, finding the process revealing. 

“It did feel cathartic,” he said.

Through his story, Camacho hopes to encourage others in similar situations to be kind to themselves, seek help and understand that the solutions are lifestyle-based.