Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that affect a person’s relationship with food, body image, and self-worth. While often associated with women, up to 25–30% of reported cases now involve men. Men experience anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorders, but are also prone to muscle dysmorphia – an obsession with gaining muscle and achieving an “ideal” physique. Social media pressures, exposure to unrealistic fitness standards, and cultural expectations around masculinity fuel this rise. Warning signs in men can be physical (sudden weight changes, fatigue, low testosterone), psychological (negative body image, obsessive calorie tracking, depression), or behavioural (compulsive exercise, restrictive dieting, misuse of supplements or steroids). Sadly, men often suffer in silence due to stigma and fears of being emasculated, delaying treatment until conditions become severe. Breaking the stigma, improving awareness, and creating inclusive screening and treatment approaches are vital to ensure men get the help they need.
Eating disorders are a type of mental health condition that affects your relationship with food. They are complex and can cause life-threatening complications. Eating disorders are not just about restricting food. They have an impact on the patient’s behaviour, thoughts and feelings about weight, food, body shape and the social act of eating together. A common misconception that exists today, is that only women have eating disorders. This is untrue – Anyone can develop an eating disorder. Men are also victims to anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorders, like women. However, they face a high rate of muscular dysmorphia, which seems to affect men more than women.
Eating disorders in men are on the rise. Recent studies show that men now account for almost 25 to 30% of all reported eating disorder cases. Men face a higher level of stigma when talking about and seeking help for their eating disorders, so they often suffer in silence.
The social fabric of our society, and our roles in it, are always changing. Social media has changed the way we view ourselves, and the way others view us. Men are increasingly exposed to the pressures of “Gym Bro” content online. They are constantly bombarded with images of idealized, ultra-fit, muscular bodies and frankly unrealistic fitness trends. The content initially promised motivation and accountability, but quickly devolved into a mindless trend game, with a fixation on low body fat, high muscle definition, and above all, the idea of “male perfection”. In a cultural context where men are increasingly feeling undervalued and sidelined, as they watch their female counterparts achieve “success”, there seems to be a desperation to achieve “male perfection” to redeem themselves.
Men also have a tendency to suffer in silence. Men do not have spaces to discuss their feelings and insecurities, even with their close friends. They fear being associated with eating disorders – of feeling emasculated. This often gets in the way of men seeking professional help for their eating disorders and delaying treatment. By the time doctors and psychologists get to the case, it has already advanced to a dangerous stage.
The signs of eating disorders in men can be physical, psychological or behavioural. Some men may exhibit a combination of symptoms while some have barely any noticeable symptoms. The signs of an eating disorder may present slightly differently in men, but are similar to the signs in women:
If you notice your friend or family member exhibiting any of these signs, try to offer yourself as a safe space for them to talk about what is bothering them. Early intervention and treatment are key to ensuring they don’t sustain any long-term metabolic or other health problems.
Most men would like a tall, lean, muscular body type. They are repeatedly exposed to this body type in the media. In recent times, they are also told this body type is realistically achievable, if they just try hard enough – Even though that isn’t exactly true. Body Dysmorphia is a disorder where the patient becomes disproportionately obsessed with certain perceived flaws in their appearance. It is not an eating disorder per se but is linked to it. Men, in particular, are prone to muscle dysmorphia – a condition in which the patient is convinced that they are small and weak, often despite being reasonably muscular, because they are comparing themselves to a body builder (often on anabolic steroids).
Eating disorders are a mental health problem. They are not something we should be ashamed of. Feeling shame does not help us tackle the problem and get help – It just pushes the problem further to the back and denies its existence. Eating disorders have historically been gendered, but we need to change our perspective. Shifting the narrative and making eating disorder care more inclusive for men and young boys is the need of the hour. A major change we need to bring in is adapting screening and assessment tools to be more inclusive of boys and men. We need more studies of what eating disorders in men could look like. Treatment problems also need to address a broader spectrum of gender, including trans and non-binary people. We also need to talk about eating disorders in men and increase awareness in our communities. If you or someone you know is dealing with an eating disorder, it is vital to seek help as soon as possible. Contact your family doctor or general practitioner as a first step, and they will be able to guide you.
If you or someone you care about is struggling with disordered eating, body image concerns, or related mental health challenges, early support can make a life-saving difference. Kauvery Hospital, with branches in Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli, and Trichy, offers compassionate, multidisciplinary care through experienced physicians, psychiatrists, and psychologists to help individuals recover with dignity and support.
Can men develop eating disorders?
Yes. Men can develop anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, and muscle dysmorphia, just like women.
Why are eating disorders in men increasing?
Social media pressure, unrealistic fitness standards, and cultural expectations around masculinity are major contributing factors.
What are common warning signs of eating disorders in men?
Warning signs can include sudden weight or muscle changes, fatigue, obsessive calorie tracking, compulsive exercise, depression, and misuse of supplements or steroids.
What is muscle dysmorphia in men?
Muscle dysmorphia is an obsession with gaining muscle and feeling “not muscular enough,” even when the body is already well-built.
Why do many men delay seeking help for eating disorders?
Stigma, fear of being judged, and concerns about masculinity often cause men to suffer in silence and delay treatment.
How do eating disorders affect mental health in men?
They can lead to anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, body dissatisfaction, and perfectionist thinking.
Why is early treatment important for eating disorders?
Early intervention reduces the risk of long-term physical, metabolic, and psychological complications.
Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai (Alwarpet, Radial Road & Vadapalani), Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and paediatric trauma care.
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