High Level of Sexual Harassment in Men Linked to Purging: Study

A study from the Michigan State University reveals that men who experience high levels of sexual harassment are more likely to induce vomiting and consume laxatives and diuretics to control their weight, when compared to women, according to a news release.

This is the first study to observe the effects of sexual harassment on body image and eating behaviors in both women and men, and is published in the journal Body Image.

According to Nicole Buchanan, women had reported more sexual harassment, more weight and body shape concerns and eating disorders in response to harassment.

The researcher was shocked to see that mostly men engaged in purging behavior in response to high levels of sexual harassment.

"Traditionally, there has been a misperception that men are not sexually harassed," said Buchanan, associate professor of psychology, in a press statement. "And while women do experience much higher rates of sexual harassment, when men experience these kinds of behaviors and find them distressing, then you see the same types of responses you see in women and in the case of compensatory behaviors, even more so."

In this study, the researcher evaluated more than 2,466 college-aged participants, including 731 men. Researchers focused on the participants' experience with sexual harassment, body imaging and eating behaviors.

Sexual harassment could be in the form of peer harassment and causes symptoms like depression, anxiety and dysfunctional eating.

Certain features of sexual harassment play a powerful role in causing purging behavior in males, and more studies are needed to verify this possibility.