Stigmatization of binge eating disorder in men: Implicit associations with weight status and femininity

Eating disorders are highly stigmatized, but stigma against binge eating disorder (BED) specifically is relatively understudied, especially in men. We compared perceptions of a male target with BED to one with alcohol use disorder (AUD), which shares the key characteristic of subjective loss of control over consumption. We also investigated how participants' eating and alcohol use behaviors and attitudes towards psychotherapy influence perceptions of these disorders. Participants (n = 402) viewed vignettes describing a male target engaged in excess alcohol use or binge eating and rated the target on various attributes and as being responsible for or in control of their behavior and suffering from an addiction warranting treatment. Participants completed the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, Binge Eating Scale, and questions about attitudes towards and experience with psychological treatment. The BED target was rated as significantly less “thin,” more “overweight” and “obese”, and higher on several positive attributes and traits traditionally associated with femininity; the AUD target was thought more likely to be suffering from an addiction and in need of psychological treatment (all p