Within colleges across the country, eating disorders are on the rise — but not just among women. More men than ever are struggling with disordered eating, body dysmorphia and the pressure to achieve an ideal physique, yet their struggles often go unnoticed.
In locker rooms, dining halls and dormitories, male students wrestle with restrictive diets, compulsive exercise and silent shame, fearing that seeking help will make them seem “weak”. As campuses work to address mental health, it is time to rethink who we picture when we discuss eating disorders — and why so many men suffer in silence.
Emily Clay, the staff registered dietitian at Boise State University, has seen firsthand how eating disorders are affecting college students — including those who don’t fit the usual stereotypes. With a background in nutrition counseling, Clay works with students struggling with disordered eating, helping them navigate a culture that often prioritizes appearance over well-being.
Clay explains that there are five commonly recognized and diagnosed eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) and other specified feeding and eating disorder (OSFED).
The pressure on men comes in different forms: the expectation to be lean but muscular, to have visible muscle or to bulk up entirely. Many young men internalize these ideals and turn to restrictive diets, excessive exercise or even supplements or steroids to achieve a body that fits societal expectations.
“Fad diets have been around forever, right? They’re usually all restriction-based or cutting out entire food groups,” said Clay. “And here’s what we know about most diets and fad diets: they don’t work.”
As eating disorder treatment is often feminized and targeted towards women, many men may be unable or unwilling to recognize the disordered eating they are taking part in.
Despite the growing awareness of eating disorders, treatment options remain limited — especially for men. In Idaho, there are only three short-term inpatient centers that accept men struggling with eating disorders, making access to care particularly challenging.
Sociology lecturer Desiree Brunette explains that social media and misinformation play a vital role in shaping men’s perceptions of their bodies. While women have long been pressured to become smaller, men often feel the opposite expectation — to take up space via strength and mass.
“I think there’s this movement for men to think about taking up more space in their physical bodies,” said Brunette. “I think that we have this idea that the larger you are, the more masculine you are, and there is this assumption of power when you’re in a larger body, not a fat body.”
The broader societal confusion regarding what it means to be “masculine” only furthers the overall struggle and misconceptions of what a “man” is.
“I think that in some ways masculinity has almost been demonized because we see it as the root of all things evil. And there’s a lot of fairness in that, historically speaking. But also is it not okay to wear boots and take up space and do all these things?” said Brunette. “So yes, there’s a lot of confusion around that. There’s confusion around ‘Am I allowed to show emotion other than anger?’ And the conflating of sexuality if you are a ‘sensitive’ man.”
Brunette also explains that for many men, disordered eating is not born from a desired appearance but rather from a craving for control in a world where they may otherwise feel powerless. “Taking control” of nutrition, exercise and physical ability may serve as a means to an end.
Within modern society, the growing obsession with dieting and the ever-evolving race for the “ideal physique” is more alive than ever. Bodies are not meant to be rigidly controlled and perfected but rather nurtured and protected.
While women have historically been scrutinized for their appearance, men are just as much part of this cycle — though their struggles may often be overlooked. Many men hesitate to seek help, fearing judgment regarding their health struggles.
The sooner we collectively recognize that eating disorders have no gender, the sooner we can ensure that no man or woman has to suffer alone.
