Understanding men with eating disorders
Classically, eating disorder research has focused heavily on the female experience and rarely examined how the conditions impact men, making it challenging to gather nuanced information on the topic. It's likely that cases of male eating disorders are also far underreported, thanks to this gap in information and the shame and stigma tied to the issue.
The truth is that men face unique challenges around body shape and size rooted in societal expectations of what their gender “should” look like, and therefore, men require specialized care to unlearn those beliefs. Care for disordered eating in men should be built to address the specific issues and barriers they face.
Stats and trends in men with eating disorders
While culturally and even scientifically, eating disorders in males are primarily underrepresented, some numbers suggest that the conditions are actually on the rise among males.1
As many as one in four cases—or 25%—of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa present in males.2 Gay men face an even higher rate of eating disorders than their heterosexual peers, with 15% of gay men and 5% of straight men admitting to having an eating disorder.6
It is also estimated that 2% of men will have binge eating disorder and even more will struggle with binge eating behaviors throughout their lifetime.6
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Male eating disorder signs and symptoms
In terms of mental health conditions, eating disorders function similarly in men, women, and gender non-conforming individuals. For all sexes, the disorders manifest as:
- An unhealthy fixation on body weight, shape, or size
- A distorted body image
- A focus on food or exercise to control body weight.
Still, rather than the "thin ideal" women generally work toward, men tend to focus on creating a lean, muscular body.7 This can result in excessive exercise, hyperfocus on "bulking up," and even the thought of being "underweight." Men with eating disorders are also much more likely to struggle with muscle dysmorphia, a type of body dysmorphic disorder that involves feeling much less muscular than they physically appear.7
Other signs that men and boys may be struggling with an eating disorder include:
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- Extreme fear of weight gain
- A feeling of loss of control about food
- Avoiding activities involving food
- Social isolation or withdrawal
- Weight fluctuations
- Frequent gastrointestinal issues
- Fatigue, fainting, and dizziness
- Cuts and calluses on finger joints (due to inducing vomiting)
- Dental problems, including swollen salivary glands, cavities, and teeth discoloration
- Dry skin and hair and brittle nails
- Fine hair on the body (lanugo)
- Cold, mottled hands and feet or swelling of extremities
- Poor wound healing
- Weakened immune system
Often, men with eating disorders hide their condition out of fear of being stigmatized, or they may be in denial, failing to see themselves as at risk for the conditions.3 In any case, the hesitation to seek help can have serious consequences. Delay in seeking help can lead to more severe eating disorder symptoms and a greater need for hospitalization once help is sought out.
Male eating disorder treatment considerations
As men tend to experience eating disorder behaviors differently than women and gender-nonconforming people, there is a need to have specific eating disorder treatment for men. Males can feel stigmatized or misunderstood when attending programs designed for women or when attending treatment programs that are largely comprised of female patients.1
Men may also feel ashamed to admit they have an eating disorder, making it difficult to participate in necessary psychotherapy. Much of this shame or hesitation is likely tied to the perception that eating disorders are "female" problems, so it's important to increase understanding that eating disorders are not a risk to a man's identity or masculinity.
Treatment for eating disorders is a comprehensive process that involves psychological therapy, nutritional counseling, and medical guidance for physical symptoms. Treatment may also involve mindfulness training and learning to manage relationships with loved ones who may not understand what you're going through.5
But for men with eating disorders, support groups may also be of special significance. This can help introduce them to other men struggling with similar experiences, help them feel less isolated, and encourage the type of support network that works to uphold long-term recovery.
Finding eating disorder programs for men
Sadly, it may still be difficult to find a men's eating disorder treatment center, but there are still ways to help provide male loved ones with the type of support they need.
Eating disorder diagnoses often go a long way toward securing appropriate care. These evaluations not only signal to insurance companies that there is a legitimate problem but can also determine what may be the most effective treatment. Visiting a primary care doctor, psychiatrist, or therapist is an excellent way to start this process.
Once diagnosed, a patient can start looking for treatment options. Try to look for programs that are run or designed specifically for men. If you can't find any in your area, try looking at virtual treatment options, which may more easily reach men in need or conduct male-focused support groups.
Still, it's important to remember that the earlier an eating disorder is treated, the more quickly someone tends to recover. Finding eating disorder treatment for men is helpful, but finding eating disorder treatment in general is still important.
Other ways to help encourage men to seek treatment
If you know someone in your life who is struggling with disordered eating behaviors, a meaningful way to support them is by providing kindness and compassion for what they are going through. Try to understand their journey and how you can be an ally to them during their care and recovery.
As part of understanding someone’s experience with eating disorders, it may be beneficial to spend time educating yourself about the circumstances they are experiencing, as well as eating disorders in general. Ask your loved one about a good opportunity to share time together and begin to express concerns about the person's struggle in a non-judgmental manner.
It is not easy for a person struggling with an eating disorder to talk about their condition. Therefore, friends and family members of men struggling with an eating disorder need to be as compassionate as possible. Some men may not want to disclose or talk about their eating habits, so being gentle and respectful of their wishes in your discussions will go a long way.
Remote care is available
Within offers fully remote intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programming for men who need the convenience of at-home treatment.
Call us for a free consultation and to learn more about our virtual treatment options.
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How to approach someone with an eating disorder
As critical as it is to know what to do, a person also needs to know what to avoid when approaching someone with an eating disorder:
- Avoid ultimatums.
- Do not comment on their weight or appearance.
- Be careful not to shame or blame them.
- Do not oversimplify the solution.
- Help them understand that eating disorders impact all genders and none is less worthy of care.
- Remind them that the medical and psychological consequences of eating disorders are both profound and real, regardless of gender.
- Convey the reality that eating disorders do not correlate with gender, masculinity, or femininity.
- Do not offer solutions—offer treatment instead.
Friends and family members of those suffering from an eating disorder should take special care to get help for their loved ones. Try not to be confrontational in your approach to someone with an eating disorder. Finding shared values between you and your loved one and a shared understanding of the person’s experience can help the person experiencing an eating disorder become more open to receiving care.
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