Eating Disorders in Men

Often, when we think about someone with an eating disorder, we picture a young, thin white girl. But eating disorders affect all kinds of people, including men. Despite the stereotype that eating disorders are a female problem, about 1 in 3 people struggling with an eating disorder is male, and subclinical eating disordered behaviors (including binge eating, purging, laxative abuse, and fasting for weight loss) are nearly as common among men as they are among women. In the U.S. alone, eating disorders will affect 10 million males at some point in their lives.

The suffering eating disorders bring is not isolated to women.

Additionally, studies suggest that risk of mortality for males with eating disorders is higher than it is for females. Due in large part to cultural bias, men are much less likely to seek treatment for their eating disorder. The good news is that once a man seeks help, treatment is as effective as it is for women. 

Our team has special training in treating men with eating disorders and understands the ways it is both similar and different than treating women. 

If you’re a man struggling with food or your body image, please don’t let shame keep you isolated. You are not alone, and you deserve support.

Source: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/learn/by-eating-disorder/anorexia