Can Guys Have Eating Disorders? What You Need to Know
If you've ever quietly wondered, "do men get eating disorders?" the answer is yes.
Absolutely, yes.
If you're a man struggling with you're relationship with food and your body, we see you. And, if you're someone who loves a man who's struggling with food or body image, you're not imagining it.
Eating disorders don't discriminate by gender, but our culture sure does when it comes to talking about them.
And that deafening silence? It keeps a lot of men suffering in secret.
Introduction to Eating Disorders in Men
Eating disorders are serious and can affect individuals of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. They are characterized by abnormal eating habits, distorted body image, and an excessive preoccupation with weight and shape.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5), eating disorders are a type of mental disorder that can have severe physical and emotional consequences if left untreated. Eating disorder symptoms can vary widely, but common signs include restrictive eating, binge eating, purging behaviors, and excessive exercise. It’s essential to raise awareness about eating disorders, particularly among boys and men, who are often underrepresented in eating disorder research and treatment.
Do Men Get Eating Disorders?
They do.
In fact, about 1 in 3 people with an eating disorder, a serious mental illness, is male.
And, that number is probably higher, because so many cases in men go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed due to stigma, shame, or symptoms that don’t “look” like what we’re taught to expect.
Men can struggle with anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, ARFID, orthorexia, muscle dysmorphia, and everything in between. Just because it doesn’t show up in stereotypical ways doesn’t mean it’s not happening.
It might even look like fitness goals on the outside, and still be rooted in pain underneath.
How Do Eating Disorders Affect Males?
Eating disorders affect men both physically and emotionally, just like they do anyone else. But they often come with a different flavor—one that’s frequently overlooked or dismissed.
For many men, disordered eating isn’t just about weight loss. It’s about control, performance, and an intense pressure to meet unrealistic body ideals. This can take many forms:
Over-exercising to the point of injury or burnout
Obsessive clean eating or rigid food rules. This often includes restricting entire food groups, which can backfire into binge eating episodes—especially during so-called “cheat meals”
Body obsession focused on leanness or muscle gain. In many cases, this shows up as muscularity oriented disordered eating—a pattern of behaviors driven by the belief that one's body isn’t muscular, lean, or “cut” enough. This may include excessive protein intake, supplement abuse, and compulsive strength training
Binge eating or emotional eating, often in secret and followed by shame
Using food or restriction to manage emotions like anger, sadness, or shame. While men may engage in purging behaviors, they often do so through extreme cardio or weight training rather than vomiting
And emotionally? There’s often a heavy cocktail of guilt, anxiety, irritability, depression, and a creeping sense of disconnection—from others and from themselves. This inner battle is often masked by outward discipline and praised “fitness goals,” making it all the more exhausting—and invisible.
What’s missing in many of these stories is a broader recognition that disordered eating isn’t just about thinness. For men, the focus may shift toward achieving a specific body weight or physique, often under the influence of toxic masculinity and fitness culture.
The result? Deep emotional pain masked by muscle and misunderstood by the world.
What Unique Challenges Do Men with Eating Disorders Face?
Men with eating disorders often face:
Stigma: Because EDs are seen as a “women’s issue,” men often feel extra shame.
Delayed diagnosis: Doctors and loved ones might miss the signs. Traditional assessments may overlook important aspects of negative body image related to body weight and muscularity.
Cultural pressure to appear strong, not vulnerable: It’s hard to admit you’re struggling when you’ve been taught to always be in control. Societal standards and media portrayals heavily influence perceptions of physical appearance, contributing to body image issues.
Lack of representation: Most treatment spaces, resources, and recovery stories center women.
What Factors Place Males at Risk for Developing an Eating Disorder?
Men are at risk for developing eating disorders for many of the same reasons as women, but some unique factors include:
Childhood trauma or emotional neglect (especially when boys were taught to disconnect from feelings). Adolescent males are particularly at risk due to unique symptom presentation and risk factors.
Participation in sports or activities with weight or physique pressures (wrestling, dance, gymnastics, bodybuilding). This can lead to compulsive exercise, which is often a significant symptom in males with eating disorders.
Military training or high-control environments
Societal body ideals that glorify six-packs, leanness, and “clean eating”. These ideals can lead to significant body dissatisfaction and associated eating disorders.
Being shamed or bullied about appearance or body size
What Are the Warning Signs of Eating Disorders in Males?
Some of the red flags to look for include:
Preoccupation with weight, calories, or muscle size
Frequent dieting or food restriction
Obsessive fitness tracking or intense guilt after missing a workout
Withdrawal from friends or social events involving food
Mood swings, fatigue, or increased irritability
Weekly objective binge eating is also a significant indicator, particularly among adolescents.
Signs of bingeing or purging
These can include a range of disordered eating behaviours, such as extreme dietary restriction or compulsive exercise.
If something feels “off,” trust that instinct.
Body Image and Eating Disorders in Men
Body image concerns are a significant factor in the development of eating disorders in males. Men and boys are often pressured to conform to traditional masculine ideals, which can lead to negative body image and low self-esteem. Muscularity-oriented disordered eating (MODE) is a subtype of eating disorder that affects males, characterized by a preoccupation with muscle mass and a fear of being “soft” or “weak.” Male body image concerns can be exacerbated by societal expectations, media representation, and cultural messaging around the “ideal” male body shape. It’s crucial to address these issues and promote positive body image and self-esteem among boys and men to prevent the development of eating disorders.
What is Muscle Dysmorphia? And How Does it Relate to Body Dysmorphic Disorder?
Muscle dysmorphia is a subtype of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), a mental health condition where someone becomes obsessively preoccupied with perceived flaws in their appearance—often ones that aren’t visible to others. In the case of muscle dysmorphia, the fixation centers around not being muscular enough, even when someone may already have significant muscle mass.
This condition is sometimes called "reverse anorexia" because, unlike anorexia nervosa where someone fears being too large, individuals with muscle dysmorphia often fear being too small, too weak, or not lean enough. It’s more common in men and can lead to intense distress and compulsive behaviors aimed at increasing muscle mass—such as excessive weightlifting, extreme dieting, supplement abuse, or even steroid use.
MD falls under the umbrella of BDD because, at its core, it’s not about physical reality. It’s about how the brain distorts the perception of the body, regardless of what's actually seen in the mirror.
What Triggers Body Dysmorphia in Men?
Body dysmorphia can be triggered or worsened by a variety of factors, especially when layered on top of past emotional wounds. Some of the most common triggers include:
Critical comments about appearance, especially during childhood or adolescence
Bullying or teasing, particularly around weight, size, or masculinity
Social media and fitness culture, which often promote unrealistic and filtered body ideals
Trauma or chronic feelings of inadequacy, which can lead to using body control as a way to feel more “worthy” or in control
Perfectionism and internalized pressure to “look” a certain way to be accepted, successful, or loved
Even something as simple as seeing an unflattering photo or comparing yourself to others at the gym can trigger a spiral of obsessive thoughts about appearance. The cycle is often accompanied by shame, social withdrawal, or compulsive attempts to “fix” the perceived flaw.
What Does Muscle Dysmorphia Feel Like for Men?
For many men, muscle dysmorphia feels like never being enough—never strong enough, lean enough, big enough, or defined enough. You might receive compliments about your physique and still believe you look “too small.” You might lift every day, track every macro, and still obsess over one area of your body that feels “off.”
It can feel like your worth is entirely tied to your body weight, strength, or fitness progress—and missing a workout or eating something “off plan” can cause intense anxiety, irritability, or guilt.
Men with muscle dysmorphia often feel isolated because the culture around them praises discipline and grind. On the outside, they’re seen as committed or high-performing. But inside, it may feel like a constant battle against their own reflection—a silent suffering fueled by the belief that no matter how hard they work, it’s never enough.
Types of Eating Disorders
There are several types of eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED).
Anorexia nervosa is characterized by restrictive eating and significant weight loss, while bulimia nervosa involves recurring episodes of binge eating and purging behaviors. Binge eating disorder is marked by frequent episodes of binge eating without purging behaviors.
Eating disorders can have severe physical and emotional consequences, including malnutrition, osteoporosis, and mental health disorders like depression and anxiety.
What Recovery Might Look Like for Men
Recovery doesn’t mean giving up strength, identity, or discipline. It means learning how to be in your body without punishment, shame or obsession.
It might look like:
Eating without shame, even the foods you used to fear. Recovery also involves focusing on overall health rather than solely enhancing muscle definition.
Working out because it feels good, not because you “have to”. This might mean engaging in weight lifting for enjoyment rather than compulsion.
Actually feeling your emotions instead of numbing them with control
Having more energy, better sleep, a sex drive and more connection with people you care about
Recovery is not about becoming someone else, it’s about becoming more you, with less suffering.
Treatment Options for Eating Disorders
Eating disorder treatment typically involves a combination of psychotherapy, nutrition counseling, and medication. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and family-based therapy (FBT) are effective treatments for eating disorders, particularly among adolescents.
Nutrition counseling can help individuals develop a healthy relationship with food and their body, while medication may be prescribed to manage symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions.
It’s essential to seek professional help if you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder. Early intervention and treatment can significantly improve recovery outcomes and reduce the risk of long-term physical and emotional consequences.
But, He Doesn't Look Like He Has an Eating Disorder…
Let's bust this myth right now: eating disorders are simply not visible illnesses.
They come in all body sizes, shapes, genders, and ages. A guy doesn't need to be underweight, frail, or emaciated to be struggling.
Many men with eating disorders look like “average” guys. Some are muscular. Some are in larger bodies. Some are extremely fit. It's not about appearance, it's about the relationship to food, body, and self.
Take a minute to read that again, because it's huge.
If You're a Guy With an Eating Disorder (Or Think You Might Be)
You are not weak. You are not broken. And, you're not alone.
I know it's scary to even say the words… that you might be struggling with an eating disorder.
It might feel confusing, like you don't “qualify” for help, or like you don't feel “sick enough”.
But, I promise you, you deserve support. And healing from your eating disorder is possible.
You are more than your body image.
Without obsession. Without shame. Without losing yourself in the process.
And if you're someone who loves a guy who's struggling, your concern is valid. Don't be afraid to gently speak up, ask questions, or offer support. You don't need to have the perfect words, just your presence, care and compassion go a long way.
Wondering how to start the conversation with a loved one about your concern for them? Grab our guide for starting a hard, but important conversation here.
Prevention of Eating Disorders in Males
Preventing eating disorders requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the complex factors that contribute to their development. Promoting positive body image and self-esteem among boys and men is crucial, as is challenging societal expectations and cultural messaging around the “ideal” male body shape. Educating men about healthy eating habits, nutrition, and exercise can also help prevent disordered eating behaviors.
Additionally, reducing stigma around mental health and eating disorders can encourage individuals to seek help and support when they need it. By working together to promote positive body image, healthy habits, and mental health awareness, we can reduce the risk of eating disorders and support individuals in developing a positive and healthy relationship with food and their body.
Therapy for Disordered Eating Behaviors Can Help
Here at Reclaim Therapy, we work with people of all genders navigating eating disorders, trauma, and body image issues. If you or someone you love is hoping to find a space to start healing, we’re here.
Because everyone, and we mean everyone, deserves freedom from food and body shame.
🧡,
Reclaim Therapy is a trauma therapy practice that specializes in providing therapy for eating disorders.
We work with peoplewho are struggling with their relationship with food and body. We also provide EMDR therapy, trauma therapy and specialized therapy for CPTSD. Ready to get started?
