Photo courtesy of Santa Barbara Sheriff's Department
The untimely death of musical icon Michael Jackson spotlights eating disorders in general, and for men in particular. Whether Michael Jackson suffered from anorexia, which some call “manorexia” in men, is up to debate. What is not up for debate is whether Jackson had the classic symptoms of the disease.
Anorexia can be a lifelong affliction once it hits. Many people who have developed and then overcome the condition find themselves returning to the mindset and eating habits months or even years later. The Mayo Clinic’s eating disorders page has an excellent list of symptoms of the most common eating disorders.
The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute has an online BMI calculator. A BMI less than 18.5 is considered underweight. A normal BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9. Those with a BMI between 25 and 29.9 are considered overweight. A BMI greater than 30 indicates obesity.
An article published by England’s Times Online in 2005 said that rumors of Jackson’s weight were as low as 6.5 stone, which translates to a mere 91 lbs on his 5 foot 11 inch frame. That would translate to a body mass index of only 12.7, which is severely underweight. Dr. Thomas Stuttaford, who wrote the article, said that those with a BMI under 17 “are in need of medical help.”
Dr. Stuttaford also said that abnormal heart rhythms like Jackson’s can be “indicative of a slow transmission of the impulse that triggers the contraction of the chambers of the heart.” He pointed out that “social isolation and withdrawal are features of both anorexia and depression.” Jackson was famous for both those characteristics.
Jackson’s arrest record in 2003 with the Santa Barbara (CA) Sheriff’s Department said his weight was 120 pounds. That would have made his BMI only 16.7 as he entered one of the most stressful times in his life, facing allegations of child molestation. He was eventually acquitted of those charges.
The Daily Mail in England published an article today by Ian Halperin said that Jackson “became so skeletal, doctors believed he was anorexic.” Halperin was so shocked by Jackson’s appearance that he predicted “last December that Michael had six months to live.” Jackson died six months and one day after the prediction. Halperin wrote that “Jackson had lost an astonishing amount of weight in recent months. His medical team even believed he was anorexic”
Geraldo Rivera of FOX News characterized Jackson as “paranoid” and “addicted” as well as anorexic. He said that Jackson “was at times so thin as to be almost translucent.”
The National Institute of Mental Health says that “The three main types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder.” NIMH data suggests that only 5 to 15% of anorexics or bulimics are men. As for binge-eating disorder, men make up 35% of those afflicted.
A study done at Columbia University in New York says that “National population-based studies have found that eating disorders affect 1–3% of women and less than 0.5% of men, except for binge eating disorder which was found to affect 2% of the men” studied. That study also found that “Although anorexia and bulimia nervosa occur primarily in women, 5–20% of people with eating disorders are men.” The report also said “Studies suggest that a disproportionate number of these men are gay and bisexual.” The study concludes that “Researchers should study the causes of the high prevalence of eating disorders among gay and bisexual men.”
Although the number of women suffering from eating disorders is much higher than men, the fact remains that eating disorders affect men as well. And, regardless of gender, eating disorders can kill. The long-term deprivation of essential nutrients as well as calories in general associated with anorexia make the human body ill equipped to maintain health. The addition of narcotics and other substances in combination with failing health from an eating disorder can quickly break down anyone, even if they’re a superstar.
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Comments
Mark, your article is fantastic & eye opening. The public needs to look deeper into eating disorders (ED), in a "What's eating you" sort of fashion.
I was rather shocked to find a evening news show's coverage months ago on new ED that doctors called Orthorexia, where people are overly concerned about eating healthy foods.
Wondering now myself how one is to go about a healthy balance in life, when it comes to food and/or body image. I think beginning with the word "powerless" gives people a healthier start in handling addictions of any kind whether that of their own or a loved ones. Secondingly, vision and/or direction in the spiritual sense of word of turning one's life over to the care of God/Higher Power (in the individual's own understanding) must then follow, for healing to begin. An eating disorder is a physical, emotional and spiritual disease. I like your suggestion of seeking professional help for ED & hope everyone includes the Divine Physician who makes house calls.
I agree with Michelle. This is a fantastic, detailed, well-written piece. Well done!
Thank you for this. Michael Jackson may have been the ultimate "poor little rich boy."
Anorexia is not a stand alone illness. It is accompanied by and causes many infirmities.
In my opinion, the most troublesome is the thinking distortions that develop from brain cell starvation. And, of course, starvation affects every organ in the body with catastrophic consequences. He needed careful and nourishing refeeding.
But living in a more substantial body with more mind clarity would bring him into the reality of a world he could influence tremendously but couldn't live in personally. Body nourishment, while critical, is only the beginning. The whole person, body, mind and soul needs care and safety. Then with love and knowledge the person needs gentle encouragement and support to develop a healthy psychological sturdiness to be able to cope with and thrive in a challenging world.
Michael had more challenges than most of us can ever dream of. IMO he withdrew from the world and t
Michael had more challenges than most of us can ever dream of. IMO he withdrew from the world and tried to create his own world with his massive finances. But it could never be enough. The fires of his incredible talent and charisma lit up the world and may have also burned him up from the inside.
RIP Michael.
Michael Jackson was a blobal superstar, fame tends to stress out people as they always have to give more than expected which essentially causes a burn out. To get relieved from it people turn towards drugs and then it forms a viscous cycle that ends with death and destruction.
Michael Jackson had an eating as well as sleeping disorder as both are interlinked, we cannot get a good sleep on an empty stomach and we cannot eat well if we have not slept enough.
This is our panel of experts opinion at
curesnoringnow.blogspot.com
Thank You
Has anyone bothered to interview Richard Carpenter?
In case you've forgotten, his sister Karen died of complications of anorexia in 1983 at the age of 32.
Once again, history repeats itself.
Only, with the real BMI your article would already be shocking and Michael Jackson could possibly suffer medical problems as a result of severe underweith, but 91 lb gives a BMI of 17.0 and not 12.7.
Dear Harry,
You are wrong. To find an online BMI calculator, go to the google and type in "BMI calculator"
According the calculator at the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute:
91 pounds on a 5 foot 11 inch frame give a BMI of 12.7 -- NOT 17.0.
A person would have to be 5 feet and 1 inch to have a BMI of 17.2 at 91 pounds.
And a BMI of 17 is underweight. The lowest healthy BMI is 18.5. A BMI of 16 is considered starvation by the world health organization.
If you or someone you know is severely underweight, seek medical attention immediately. Please.
Be in good health.
Mark
was mj underweight then becouse he was only 8 and half stones a male his hight sould be between 10 or 11 stones a bmi of 20 healthy range after 25 you hit overweight.
MJ was 5'9 not 5'11...In his autopsy, they said he was 136lbs, not 120.
daryl is better smh
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