The Other Kind of ED in Men
Yes, Men Struggle With Eating Disorders Too
On a recent episode of The Bachelorette, contestant Ben opened up about his 10-year struggle with an eating disorder. For many viewers, this was surprising—because eating disorders are still widely (and falsely) viewed as something that only affects thin, white women.
The reality? Eating disorders affect people of all genders, races, and body sizes.
The Statistics Tell a Different Story
According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), one third of individuals with eating disorders identify as male. And nearly as many men engage in disordered eating behaviors as women.
The Pressure Looks Different—But It’s Still Harmful
While women are often held to an unrealistic standard of thinness, men face pressure to achieve an idealized, muscular physique. This can fuel behaviors like:
Over-exercising
Calorie restriction
Supplement or steroid misuse
Bingeing and purging
And just like women, men with eating disorders are often coping with underlying struggles like trauma, anxiety, depression, or substance use.
The Stigma Keeps Men Silent
Because eating disorders are wrongly seen as "feminine," many men feel ashamed to ask for help—or don't even realize they’re struggling. This contributes to underdiagnosis and delayed treatment.
What’s worse: studies show that the mortality risk for men with eating disorders is actually higher than for women.That’s a deeply concerning statistic, especially since eating disorders already carry one of the highest mortality rates of any mental health condition.
Treatment Does Work
When men do access treatment, their outcomes are just as promising as women’s. Recovery is possible—and gender should never be a barrier to seeking support.
Let’s Break the Stigma
At Empowering You, we believe everyone deserves access to compassionate, effective care—regardless of gender, body size, or background.
If you or a man in your life is struggling with food, exercise, or body image, contact us today to schedule a free consultation. You are not alone, and help is available.
