Do Men Have Eating Disorders?
While the predominant stereotype around eating disorders focuses on women, other people along the gender spectrum, including men, struggle with eating disorders. However, because of the difference in gender ideals, male presentation of eating disorders can look different than females. Like any marginalized community regarding an eating disorder diagnosis, missing the opportunity to connect with these individuals increases their risk for and severity of eating disorder symptoms.
By: Elizabeth Foot
Like any marginalized community regarding an eating disorder diagnosis, missing the opportunity to connect with these individuals increases their risk for and severity of eating disorder symptoms.
How Many Men Struggle With Eating Disorders?
There is little research on eating disorders and people who identify as men. So, there is less evidence that advocates can use to educate the general public and raise awareness for medical professionals. Yet men do suffer from these diseases, and according to an article from Eating Disorder Hope, 25% of eating disorder cases are male, and of binge eating disorder cases, 40% are male. One reason for this is socially contrived “attractive” ideals between men and women. Historically, these norms have glorified thinness for women and muscularity for males. Because of this, men often face more pressure and teasing if they seem too far from these arbitrary standards.
Risk Factors of Eating Disorders in Men
Outside of the difference in diagnosis distribution, many risk factors that impact women also impact men when it comes to predicting eating disorder behavior. Some of these factors include:
Sexual, physical, verbal, and emotional abuse.
Bullying.
Athlete status – specific sports of higher risk can be wrestling, football, dancers, and cross-country runners.
LGBTQ+ identifying individuals.
Struggling with anxiety or depression.
An added layer of complexity with male eating disorder patients is that men often undermine or dismiss their feelings to remain “masculine,” which prolongs treatment even further, increasing the long-term health consequences of having an eating disorder.
Other conditions that do not meet eating disorder criteria – body and/or muscle dysmorphia – are often high in men, for similar reasons that there is a high prevalence of binge eating disorder in this population. The primary differentiator is that body/muscle dysmorphia is “a mental health condition where you can’t stop thinking about one or more perceived defects in your appearance – a flaw that appears minor or can’t be seen by others.” Often, these dysmorphias are part of an eating disorder, but they can also be quite harmful on their own.
What Is Body Dysmorphia?
Below are possible signs and symptoms of someone struggling with body dysmorphia.
Extreme preoccupation with perceived flaws in appearance that only appears in the mirror and that others cannot see.
The firm belief you have a defect in your appearance makes you unattractive.
Avoiding social situations.
Constantly comparing your appearance to others.
While these symptoms might look similar to eating disorder descriptions, they are missing other specific actions (such as restriction, binging, purging, compulsive exercise, etc.). However, these behaviors can evolve and lead to an increase in eating disorder risk.
Ways to Support a Loved One
If you think you or a loved one is struggling with an eating disorder, it is crucial to open a conversation with clear support and an explanation of the observations that worry you. Those with eating disorders can become defensive of their condition, often denying their actions. Because this reaction is typical, allowing space for the conversation to continue outside of the initial discussion is essential.
Other ways to offer support can look like this:
Reminding yourself or your loved one that societal standards are unrealistic and one’s level of “physical” masculinity is not the sole definition of what it “means to be a man.”
Offering to go to therapy or eating disorder treatment appointments with him.
Opening a conversation about what support might look like moving forward.
In conclusion, men struggle with eating disorders. Much more research is needed to accurately capture and understand the male experience of eating disorders and how this experience might differ across communities and intersectional identities. Below are some resources that focus specifically on eating disorders in males:
Recovery Bites: Invisibility of Men in the Eating Disorder Community with Mark Warren
Male Eating Disorder: From Lived Experience to Advocacy
Child Mind Institute, Boys and Eating Disorders
National Alliance for Eating Disorders, Eating Disorders Among Men
If you or a loved one who identifies as male are struggling with eating disorder thoughts and behaviors, you are not alone. BALANCE offers a bi-monthly virtual free support group, which provides a supportive forum within which members of all genders can explore issues, including ambivalence about engaging in treatment, recovery, resources, and treatment options. RSVP for our next group here.
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This post was written by BALANCE Blog Contributor, Elizabeth Foot (she/her).
Elizabeth is currently pursuing her Master's of Public Health in nutrition and dietetics from the University of Michigan, on track to become a registered dietician. Prior to returning to school, Elizabeth received her B.A. in Public Policy from Hamilton College in 2020.
Since graduating Hamilton, Elizabeth has worked for an infertility insurance company as a marketing associate, has volunteered with Multi-Service Eating Disorder Association (MEDA), and has advocated on Capitol Hill for expanding insurance coverage to registered dietitians as part of the Eating Disorders Coalition (EDC). Elizabeth is also a strong supporter of intuitive eating, HAES, and is excited to become a licensed practitioner working in the ED field. In her free time, Elizabeth can be found creating recipes, practicing yoga, or counting down the days until she can get a dog.
References
Eating Disorder Hope.“Eating Disorders in Males.”2023. https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/risk-groups/men#Male-Eating-Disorder-Statistics
Mayo Clinic. “Body dysmorphic disorder.” Dec. 13, 2022. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/body-dysmorphic-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20353938