Am I Fit Enough For You? The Untold Truths Of Male Anorexia

What IS Anorexia?

Everybody has HEARD about Anorexia, but do they actually KNOW anything about it? According to the Mayo Clinic, “Anorexia (an-o-REK-see-uh) nervosa — often simply called Anorexia — is an eating disorder characterized by abnormally low body weight, an intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted perception of weight. People with Anorexia place a high value on controlling their weight and shape, using extreme efforts that tend to interfere with their lives significantly.” Anorexia is a mental health disorder that can affect anyone at any age regardless of gender; however, girls and young women make up most of those with this mental illness and its powerful lifelong effects.

What about men, however? This mental illness can affect anyone, so does it really affect men? YES! Psych Central states that “though more prevalent among women, as many as 0.3% of men experience anorexia during their lifetime.” Ok, but what does this actually mean about the men? Again, Psych Central states, “living with male anorexia or disordered eating does not mean you have feminine traits…it is a mental health condition spurred by unrealistic body expectations set by media and social circles regardless of gender, race, personality, or sexual orientation.” Furthermore, it has shown that even particular sports with a heavy focus on weight can encourage unhealthy weight loss habits!

W​hat About Stigma?

A big part of the stigma surrounding male Anorexia is that it is heavily associated with the gay community. Research shows that 10%-42% of men with eating disorders identify as gay; however, this could be due to an overrepresentation in the studies. So why do gay men tend to have higher rates of eating disorders? Before the AIDS crisis began in the 1980s, the ideal gay male was thin and lean; today’s standards have changed that aesthetic to show strength, health, and masculinity. Extreme thinness is now associated with being sick or unwell. Today’s society expects the ideal male body to appear more muscular and lean in many circles. This standard, in turn, “encourages” more binge and purging style eating disorders. Gay men may be more likely to control their weight using one of the following methods:

• fasting
• vomiting
• laxatives
• diet pills

Despite these ties between male Anorexia and the gay community, most men with an eating disorder are typically heterosexual (PsychCentral, 2023).

Warning Signs and Symptoms

Ok, so men have Anorexia as well. How is it any different than girls and young women? For girls with Anorexia, “thin” usually means being exceptionally skinny or having a meager body weight. They want to be as small as possible in every way, with no concern for strength or muscle tone. Male Anorexia is often more about being lean instead of skinny, though not all men living with Anorexia care about muscle mass. This eating disorder usually means being thin while appearing strong for men and boys.

Most people associate low body weight or extreme weight loss with Anorexia; however, with male Anorexia, “looking thin” may be the last warning sign you will see. The main warning signs of male Anorexia one needs to look for are:

• frequent bathroom visits after or during a meal
• hyper-focus on working out, even when injured
• binge eating
• dressing in layers
• denying being hungry
• food avoidance
• strict dietary rules or habits
• fixating on nutritional information or calorie count
• constant weighing
• avoiding social gatherings where food is served
• stress or anxiety when a workout gets missed
• excessive preoccupation with bodybuilding or physique development
• statements about being unhappy with weight or body image

A few signs and symptoms of male Anorexia include:

• decreased sex drive
• feeling weak or lethargic (tired)
• cold intolerance
• digestive issues
• abnormal laboratory levels (anemia or low hormone levels)
• dizziness or fainting
• sleep disturbance
• slow or poor wound healing
• impaired immunity
• yellow skin
• dental changes
• thinning or loss of hair
• hand and finger cuts or swelling

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) recognizes some classic diagnostic features, regardless of gender, including:

• restriction of energy intake that leads to a significantly low body weight
• intense fear about weight gain
• persistent behavior that interferes with weight gain
• feeling low self-worth or disturbance related to body weight or shape
• lack of awareness or recognition regarding the seriousness of low body weight

What are the risk factors that raise someone’s chances of male Anorexia?

• living through a traumatic experience
• limited social networks and isolation
• loneliness
• acculturation
• perfectionism
• low body image satisfaction
• history of an anxiety disorder
• cultural weight stigma
• experiencing bullying
• history of dieting
• regular energy deficits from illness, athletics, or dieting
• having a close relative living with an eating disorder or mental health condition
• a natural inclination toward inflexible thinking or behaviors
• intergenerational trauma

Treatment Plans and Help

Anorexia nervosa can cause severe health complications and be life-threatening (PsychCentral, 2023). If you or a loved one is living with Anorexia, seeing a doctor is essential. Primary care may recommend supervised recovery in a care facility depending on the severity of weight loss, malnourishment, or any physical challenges one may be experiencing. The person may be recommended to see a therapist instead so that they can understand what is driving the behaviors. Finally, medication may be prescribed to help alleviate symptoms related to depression or anxiety to assist in the recovery process.

To learn more about male Anorexia, please visit the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. If anyone feels overwhelmed or unsure how to get started, they can speak with a trained mental health representative by calling SAMHSA National Helpline at 1–800–662–4357.