Males, eating disorders and body image

Yes, males do engage in severe dietary restriction and purging. People with an eating disorder will restrict their food by dieting, fasting, or limiting the types of food that they eat. Men with an eating disorder can also engage in all of those practices and include them as part of a rigid exercise regime to improve the appearance of their bodies. It’s important to recognise that excessive exercise can also be a form of disordered eating.

Some males with an eating disorder alternate between maintaining an overly rigid diet their food to make their bodies appear more lean and consuming large amounts of protein in various forms to increase muscle density. In this phase they may even revert to muscle enhancing drugs like anabolic steroids. Binge eating in preparation for periods of restriction is seen as a way of maintaining muscle density without weight gain.

Young people who are anxious, lack self-confidence, or have low self-esteem may have an increased susceptibility to eating disorders. People who have endured bullying or any form of trauma, either at school, at home or in the workplace are more likely to struggle with this disorder. The origin of an eating disorder is not always clear, it can emerge as a function to cope with stress, or it could be a reaction that is caused by stress.

Possible signs may include attitudes and beliefs that manifest in an obsessive approach to exercise or a total pursuit to having an unrealistically ideal body, often associated with a muscular physique. This may suggest underlying feelings of shame, sadness or anger associated with their body.

Men are also likely to change the means in which they socialise – either attempting to avoid or isolate themselves, others may actively seek reassurance. Males who find that they spend an excessive amount of time thinking about and trying to control their appearance, weight or physique, may need to be more alert of an eating disorder.

While everyone’s journey to recovery may look different, it helps to talk about it.

If you read some of the personal stories on our website you can see different journeys, and that the road to recovery is possible.
We know that one of the biggest barriers for men is asking for help and acknowledging that there is a problem. Men are less likely to seek help, it’s a barrier that has caused a lot of harm. Research suggests that when guys start to learn more about eating disorders they are more likely to take action. Encouragement to speak and listen openly increases earlier prevention. The first step to recovery is reaching out.