Eating Disorders in Adolescent Boys

An eating disorder can be defined as a mental disorder characterized by eating behaviors that adversely affect a person’s physical or mental health. A common misconception is that many believe that eating disorders only affect the female population. In fact, around 1 in every 3 people who struggle with an eating disorder are of the male gender.

Reports of eating disorders in males dates back as far as reports of female patients with eating disorders, and in the United States alone, eating disorders will affect 6.6 million males at some point in their lives. Males can be affected by any eating disorder diagnosis including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, OSFED (other specified feeding eating disorder), and ARFID (avoidant restrictive food intake disorder).

Studies suggest that the risk of mortality for males with eating disorders is 6 to 8 times higher than the rates for men and boys without an eating disorder.

Why Is There a Lack of Awareness for Males with Eating Disorders?

• Previous diagnosis criteria for anorexia nervosa included amenorrhea - which can be defined as the absence of menstrual periods. In our society, the anorexia nervosa diagnosis developed a female stereotype that expanded to all eating disorders.
• Historically, males were often expected to hide their struggles with mental health.
• Because eating disorders have a stigma of being solely a female problem, many males do not feel comfortable sharing their problems with eating or body image due to feelings of shame.
• Much of the research for eating disorders is conducted without the inclusion of males.

Risk Factors for Eating Disorders in Males

Males who fit one or more of these descriptions are more likely to develop an eating disorder:

• They participate in weight-focused sports like wrestling, rowing, gymnastics, swimming, distance running, bodybuilding, and power lifting.
• They spend excessive time on social media and/or are social media influencers.
• They are between the ages of 12-25.
• They are gay or bisexual; in adolescence these males have a greater prevalence and increased likelihood of developing an eating disorder.
• Per a study, among transgender-identifiable patients aged 12–15 years, 5.60% had an eating disorder diagnosis.

Body Dysmorphia

Individuals affected by body dysmorphia are over-concerned, or obsessed with certain parts of their bodies, in which they misperceive as being irregular or extremely unattractive.

• Males are especially affected by muscle dysmorphia, which is a preoccupation with the idea that their body is too small or not sufficiently muscular. This is accompanied by a fear of muscle loss.
• For those experiencing muscle dysmorphia, abuse of steroids or growth hormones is common.
• Many males who struggle with muscle dysmorphia, struggle with an eating disorder as well. 

Disordered Eating Behaviors to Look for in Your Adolescent:

If your child displays one or more of these behaviors, professional help may be needed:

• Decrease in food intake: Skipping meals or snacks that they were previously eating regularly, or decreasing portion sizes
• Avoiding certain foods or food groups perceived as “bad” or “unhealthy;” for example, extreme distress around eating fast food or desserts
• Self-induced vomiting: Using the restroom immediately following a meal or snack could be a red flag
• Abuse of laxatives or diet pills
• Binge-eating: The consumption of abnormally large amount of food in a short period of time with a lack of control
• Compulsive Exercise: Exercising excessively in a compensatory manner to burn calories or influence one’s body shape
• Body checking: For example, feeling the need to critique one’s body whenever in front of a mirror