Eating Disorders in Males

At least one out of every ten people with an eating disorder is a boy or man, yet most people still think of eating disorders as a women's disease only. One in four pre-adolescent cases of Anorexia occur in boys, and Binge Eating Disorder affects females and males equally. Like females who have eating disorders, males have a warped sense of body image and often have Muscle Dysmorphia, a type of disorder that is characterized by an extreme concern with becoming more muscular. Some males with this disorder want to lose weight, while others want to gain weight or "bulk up."

Like women, men are susceptible to the cultural and media demands for perfect bodies. These demands take different forms for men. Eating disorders in boys can begin in their desire to be competitive. Adolescent boys dealing with changes in their bodies are often also beginning to have more interest in sports.

In some cases, sports create unique problems. Athletic competition may be a more common trigger for eating disorders in men, but underlying issues that fuel the development of eating disorders in men are similar to those in women. Men who develop eating disorders often have low self-esteem and may suffer from depression, abusive histories, demanding families, or other factors.

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