Eating Disorders in Men: Symptoms, Causes, and Support
Everyone wants to belong—to have a community or a person in our lives who respects, affirms, and admires us. But when this desire is too often met with the experience or perception that our value is primarily based on our appearance, insecurities arise and intensify. For men, it can be especially difficult to discuss this tension, to talk about their bodies, and to admit how much energy they invest in considering their appearance and what others think of them. The truth is, men are not immune to these anxieties, which can develop into eating disorders or disordered relationships with food.
According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), approximately one in three people struggling with an eating disorder in the U.S. is male, and these numbers may be underreported due to stigma and lack of awareness. One significant factor in this growing dynamic is the recent cultural conversation around toxic masculinity and the subsequent effort to “reclaim” and champion the virtues of “true” masculinity. Popular podcasts, self-help and motivational authors, and public figures have made millions preaching the message that real men take care of their bodies through diet, fitness, and self-discipline.
While many men, particularly young fathers, have benefited from newfound motivation to pursue a healthy lifestyle—not to mention the sense of community they’ve found in doing so—there are negative side effects that cannot be ignored. Representations of the “ideal” male body have shifted, emphasizing muscularity, leanness, and low body fat. These portrayals suggest that achieving a certain body type is not only desirable but expected, creating an environment where men feel pressured to meet these standards through strict dieting and exercise regimens.
As a result, men are increasingly likely to adopt restrictive eating habits, track calories obsessively, and avoid certain food groups to achieve their body goals. This can lead to a cycle of restrictive dieting and disordered eating patterns, where food becomes less about nourishment and more about achieving a specific physical appearance and the perception of a disciplined and virtuous lifestyle.
Another common source of anxiety for men is the experience of losing control in their lives. Whether it’s the birth of a first child, gaining a promotion, or losing a job, increased responsibility often comes with the feeling of losing former freedoms and a self-sufficient identity. Under the scrutiny of the ideal male image, this loss of control can feel like a failure to perform or live as a “real man” should. In response, the alluring promises of diet culture become all the more tempting: “Do this and you’ll become this; become this and you will be a proud, successful man.”
The stigma around men and eating disorders remains a significant barrier to treatment and recognition. Many men are reluctant to seek help because eating disorders are often perceived as “feminine issues.” This can lead to underreporting and a lack of support, making it difficult for affected men to access the help they need. Studies from the American Psychological Association (APA) have found that men who suffer from eating disorders are less likely than women to receive a diagnosis and are often less inclined to pursue treatment.
Diet culture does an interesting thing—it doesn’t discriminate. It maps itself onto any and every identity group, offering a supposed pathway to achieving the preferred body image. It promises health, happiness, and control, but in reality, it often delivers guilt and increased feelings of insufficiency.
This is where Intuitive Eating can help. The search for acceptance and control, along with the anxieties that accompany them, is a challenging part of life. The principles of Intuitive Eating work to remind us that we are already enough. Taking care of your body and mind with kindness and humility leads to genuine health and true strength, regardless of your vision of masculinity.
Kindness means removing the moral labels of “good” and “bad” when it comes to food choices and physical appearance. Listening to your body’s natural hunger cues, rather than society’s depiction of a “real man,” fosters a relationship with food that is inspired by joyful experiences rather than the burden of restrictions. Humility means acknowledging the truth that your physical appearance does not determine your worth or your sense of belonging. Focus on the truth that your physical appearance is the least interesting thing about you: you are a son, a brother, a friend, a husband, a father.
We encourage you to explore the additional resources available on this website to learn more about Intuitive Eating and the grace it offers. Or reach out to Courtney for support as you begin a new relationship with food and your body.
