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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Husband's disordered eating

195 replies

cockcrowfarm · 03/06/2020 00:38

This isn't really a aibu, more wwyd, I'm posting for traffic.
My husband has very disordered eating. When he is at work he doesn't eat breakfast, rarely eats lunch and only eats dinner if it's a business meeting. He might eat a snack when he comes home at night when I'm usually asleep already with the baby. He survives the day drinking coffee.

Just before the lock down his weight was around 57kg for a 1.80meter man. I have made lots of suggestions and I'm ready to help him in any way. He agrees that there is a problem but doesn't do anything about it.

For example, I've made him smoothies with nuts, milk, fruit etc which he says taste good but he just doesn't finish it. Now, he is working from home, I can go into his room after a few hours and he's only taken a few sips. If I bring him snacks it's much the same.

We are staying at his parents house just now and his mum cooks good meals every day, a lot of meat and different vegetables. He eats a reasonable portion of it but I have to bring him to the table to eat. Today, I asked him to join us, he dissappeared for a cigarette and didn't come back. I ate with the family and then went to get him and he said he forgot and came down to eat alone. The food was really nice and he said he would leave me some since it was vegetarian, I am in no need for extra portions at the moment! In the evening I made the baby her meal and I always eat something with her, I had rice crackers, cream cheese and salad. My husband ate two apricots.

Before I had put it down to stress in work and he has a busy job but now there is less going on and he is home with good food on offer daily. He has put on a few kilos and definitely looks healthier. He says he would like to weigh 70kg but he does nothing about it. We have discussed some options, this is a long term goal and he has to slowly increase his daily calories. We read through lists online of healthy foods that help to put on weight nut, milk, cream, olive oil etc and he says he likes to eat them all but doesn't make any effort to do it.

I'm looking for long term solutions, I don't expect him to bulk up in a month. Even if he would have two digestives and a glass of milk extra, it so little effort I just can't understand why he won't do it for his health. Before lock down I had already asked him to discuss it with a doctor because I want him to realise how serious it is. He is 48 years old, these habits as well as smoking are very dangerous. As well as the damage he is doing to his organs the lack of body fat means if he ever even gets ill he will be in a bad way.

Compared to that it seems quite frivolous to say as well that it is a big turn off for me sexually, first of all the behaviour that he won't care for himself and secondly that he looks like a skeleton and doesn't have much energy.
Thanks for reading this long post. Has anyone been in a similar situation? What can I do to help?

OP posts:
missyB1 · 03/06/2020 08:52

It's not just his weight you have to worry about OP it's all the potential health issues that stem from his lack of nutrition and the smoking. He has a very risky lifestyle, and that's what he needs to acknowledge. The trouble being of course that people with eating disorders often do not want to acknowledge what they are doing to themselves. He is probably going to need professional help to address all this.

And as a former Gastro nurse I want to point out the risk of a gastric ulcer from too much caffeine and smoking on an empty stomach. Smoking raises the risk of all sorts of cancers. And some gastric ulcers are malignant. Sorry I know you have enough to worry about.

Do try and seek some support for yourself as well, I can only imagine how stressful this is to live with.

SerenDippitty · 03/06/2020 08:56

Another one shocked at the justifying and dismissal of disordered eating here but then it is Mumsnet so I really shouldn’t be. A grown man shouldn’t weigh under nine stone. OP I don’t have any iseful advice that has not already been given, just wanted to say you are right to be concerned and are absolutely not being a nag.

UntamedWisteria · 03/06/2020 08:57

It sounds very much as if he has an eating disorder, like anorexia.

Although rare in men, it does happen (I have known men who have had it).

Remember, it's a mental illness. Try & persuade him to see a doctor. If he won't get some advice yourself. I'm sure there must be organisations who can advise you.

Bluntness100 · 03/06/2020 09:03

I’m also shocked at some of these replies. If you love someone it’s normal to be worried about them. This man is very thin, and he’s clearly having health issues because of his refusal to eat.

Op, he has an eating disorder, if he’s not willing to address it, other than trying to tempt him with food or express concern I’m not sure what you can do, and both of those things are unlikely to work.

The reason is, if he wished to put on weight he would likely at least make an effort. But he’s lying to you. He doesn’t wish to put it on. In his head he will think he looks fine or even looks fat. He’s a. Five foot nine man who weighs about nine stone. With his ribs and spine sticking out. Energy and sleeping problems.

I do wonder if there is any helplines you can call to get advice, that someone can direct you to, as some of the answers on here are batshit.

ErickBroch · 03/06/2020 09:05

WTAF is this thread. This man clearly has an eating disorder, I would say anorexia nervosa. Smoking to curb appetite, black coffee to curb appetite, avoiding meals - it's fucking textbook.

Doggodogington · 03/06/2020 09:08

I too am shocked at the “he’s a grown man leave him alone advice”!
If my cousin, who was a grown woman, had been left alone then I’m quite sure she would have been dead by now. It definitely sounds like an eating disorder and I think you should focus on him getting healthy, eating foods to nourish the body and provide energy rather than him drinking coffee all day as a substitute. Pack lunches and snacks and remind him to eat little and often. My cousin had to eat every three hours, nothing huge but healthy and regular. Good luck.

TheFencePainter · 03/06/2020 09:08

Eating disorders including anorexia in men and boys are quite on rise and much more common than people think. People think number is very low simply because these are men. Men who are supposedly not under the perfect imagine pressure like women. They are under pressure. Plus sometimes it's about control. It's that 1 aspect of their life people can control.

It's very complex and very dangerous.

I would genuinely just leave the smoking for now and concentrate on getting him in a better place. Withdrawal is no fun and it can make you sick so body and mind should be strong to handle it in a first place.

Monty27 · 03/06/2020 09:08

OP I worry about my BP. You say at 21 it's ok. I'm glad about that. Your DH is 17?
I can now see why you're worried. March him to a doctor. China or not.
Flowers

Ploughingthrough · 03/06/2020 09:08

WTAF is this thread. This man clearly has an eating disorder, I would say anorexia nervosa. Smoking to curb appetite, black coffee to curb appetite, avoiding meals - it's fucking textbook.

Literally this. It is astonishing that anyone thinks this is normal. He is underweight because he is not eating regularly and there is nothing okay about that.

Monty27 · 03/06/2020 09:09

*BMI sorry
I'm worrying about him now.

roarfeckingroar · 03/06/2020 09:10

@cockcrowfarm wow I weigh around 58 kilos (when not pregnant) and I'm a 5"4, size 8 woman. He sounds seriously underweight. I think the smoking may be a factor but it seems like he's determined to not change his habits - perhaps there is more of an emotional control aspect than he lets on?

TheFencePainter · 03/06/2020 09:11

Literally this. It is astonishing that anyone thinks this is normal.

Views about food (and alcohol) are very distorted on MN. I strongly suspect many posters should seek help for their own eating issue. I am waiting when someone will come and say OP shouldn't worry because DH is obviously doing intermittent fasting by this and that Dr and that it's healthy..

3LittleMonkeyz · 03/06/2020 09:16

Caffeine and nicotine are both appetite suppressants. He needs to reduce these, or in the case of smoking preferably quit. I would not worry about him eating more right now. He needs to quit smoking more than anything but you can't pressure him into that either. But it sounds like he might be suffering from depression? Or just chronic stress.

cockcrowfarm · 03/06/2020 09:16

@Aridane

I do think you need to back off - mak8mg fattening smoothies isn’t really the way to go

Ny nephew genuinely forgets to eat and isn’t that interesting g in eating (I didn’t know such people existed outside am eating disorder!)

He will eat of it’s something he likes and is reminded but doesn’t necessarily finish it

It’s just the way he is

My post might read like I am full on but in reality we have only had a few conversations about this over the last year. In. one of the conversations we were discussing things that he can make slight changes with himself that he will actually stick to and somethings that I could do to help. We also read several articles together with advice how to healthily put on weight. Making smoothies is something he agreed to. I can understand how it might sound, but I am not making him crazy fat smoothies that I wouldn't drink myself, they are healthy and balanced with lots of good proteins and fat and I do drink it as well. I don't make a huge deal of anything, I am fully aware that is completely counterproductive and somewhat patronising and that is not a relationship I want to foster.
OP posts:
IdblowJonSnow · 03/06/2020 09:17

Agree he has an eating disorder. Would he agree to start with his GP or to get specialist counselling?
Is his mum worried too? How is your husband in himself? Does he engage with you and your child? It's good he has put a little weight on.

GuiltyBark · 03/06/2020 09:19

I'm like your husband and previous posters, eating is a chore unless I'm actually really hungry and trying to push food in my mouth when I'm not hungry is virtually impossible. I don't know what the answer is but from his perspective I'd find it quite stressful to be constantly coaxed to eat.

TheTiaraManager · 03/06/2020 09:19

You've had a hard time on here OP. It does sound like an unhealthy lifestyle & potentially an eating disorder,

Of course you should be concerned about hs health & care that you and the baby are missing out on family fun as he can't join in

ZeroFuchsGiven · 03/06/2020 09:20

@TheFencePainter

Literally this. It is astonishing that anyone thinks this is normal.

Views about food (and alcohol) are very distorted on MN. I strongly suspect many posters should seek help for their own eating issue. I am waiting when someone will come and say OP shouldn't worry because DH is obviously doing intermittent fasting by this and that Dr and that it's healthy..

Already been said on page 2 that fasting is healthy.

I can not believe the responses on here tbh.

Op You really should try and get him to see a GP, this is not normal or healthy. good luck.

cockcrowfarm · 03/06/2020 09:22

@Aridane

Yeah - but eating disorders 101 - you don’t try to force feed an anorexic 🙄
I have never tried to force feed him! I don't know why you have the impression that I have. I had an eating disorder myself in my teens and mid twenties so I can relate to some parts although he is very different to me.
OP posts:
TheFencePainter · 03/06/2020 09:22

Caffeine and nicotine are both appetite suppressants.
I know they are supposed to be but many of us obese smoke or at least smoked (20 a day in my case).Blush

I really think smoking can wait. I stopped not so long ago and oh my. The withdrawal was HORRIBLE. I actually stopped eating and basically sleeping too, through it. I was so sick for 2 weeks.

1 battle at the time. Food and his head. Then you can address smoking when he is strong enough.

3LittleMonkeyz · 03/06/2020 09:22

Regarding eating disorders, that they are all about wanting to look thin is a myth. Yes that can be a factor, but some people do it to feel in control of their lives and environments and living off coffee, cigarettes and no food gives people a "high" where if they eat it kind of bottoms then out and all their energy disappears. Also it can be as much about wanting to feel light as look thin. Especially with men, they can really want to look bigger as it's seen as more attractive by others, but also become trapped in a compulsion to eat less and control their eating. Anorexia is not all waif like models wanting to fit into a size zero. It is mostly by people who feel out of control of their life, emotions and/or weight. It's a mental illness. It isn't logical to some body who does not have the eating disorder.

Heathcliff27 · 03/06/2020 09:24

He sounds like me apart from I don't smoke. I don't eat breakfast at all, I feel sick if I eat too early. Occasionally I'll have lunch, always have a meal round about 5.30pm. I basically eat when I'm hungry, food for me totally is fuel. I'm a healthy weight and certainly don't have an eating disorder.

If this is the way he has always been what's the issue?

I get badgered by a so called friend of mine about not eating breakfast and lunch and it gets fucking annoying, yes "joyce" you go and shove that biscuit in your mouth because thats your decision.

TheFencePainter · 03/06/2020 09:24

@ZeroFuchsGiven god I missed it in that shit show....

3LittleMonkeyz · 03/06/2020 09:25

@TheFencePainter

Yes I have been every size as a smoker and every size as a non/ex smoker and usually a big caffeine consumer. It doesn't seem to have much bearing on my weight or appetite, but for many it does work as an appetite suppressant. We all respond differently!

SandieCheeks · 03/06/2020 09:27

@Heathcliff27

He sounds like me apart from I don't smoke. I don't eat breakfast at all, I feel sick if I eat too early. Occasionally I'll have lunch, always have a meal round about 5.30pm. I basically eat when I'm hungry, food for me totally is fuel. I'm a healthy weight and certainly don't have an eating disorder.

If this is the way he has always been what's the issue?

I get badgered by a so called friend of mine about not eating breakfast and lunch and it gets fucking annoying, yes "joyce" you go and shove that biscuit in your mouth because thats your decision.

He doesn't sound anything like you Hmm

This man is underweight, dizzy and lethargic.