Is There A Difference Between Eating Disorders In Men And Women?

Eating disorders can affect people of all genders. While women may be more likely to develop an eating disorder, research suggests that more than 6.6 million men in the US will experience an eating disorder at some point in their lifetime. Despite this, men tend to be less likely to be diagnosed and receive appropriate treatment.

While there can be differences in the reasons why men and women develop eating disorders and how their symptoms manifest, early recognition and intervention can be crucial regardless of a person’s gender. Effective treatment for eating disorders usually involves working with a doctor, therapist, and registered dietician.

Common eating disorders

There are multiple types of eating disorders that can affect both men and women. Here are three of the most common.

Anorexia nervosa

Anorexia is an eating disorder typically characterized by highly restricted food consumption and weight loss driven by an intense fear of gaining weight. It is said to have the highest mortality rate of any mental health condition, other than opioid use. 

People with anorexia typically eat only small amounts of low-calorie food and exercise excessively, though some may also binge eat and purge by vomiting or misusing laxatives. While many individuals with anorexia are underweight, those who are not may be given the diagnosis of atypical anorexia nervosa.

Bulimia nervosa

People who have bulimia typically binge and purge. Binging generally involves eating a large amount of high-calorie foods in a short amount of time. When people with bulimia binge, they often sense they have no control over how much they are eating. Binging is typically done secretly and may elicit feelings of embarrassment or shame. 

After binging, people with bulimia may purge by vomiting or abusing laxatives. They may also engage in other compensatory behaviors to lose weight, like excessive exercise or fasting. Between binges, people with bulimia may eat normally, or they may restrict calories.

Binge eating disorder

People with binge eating disorder usually have episodes of binging during which they consume large amounts of food in a short time. During binges, they may sense they are out of control, and they are usually embarrassed or distressed by their behavior. 

The difference between binge eating disorder and bulimia is that people with binge eating disorder normally do not engage in any compensatory behaviors to lose body weight, like self-induced vomiting, laxative misuse, fasting, or compulsive exercise.

Eating disorders in women

Research suggests that women are roughly twice as likely to develop an eating disorder as men. There may be many reasons for this. 

For example, studies have found that women generally experience more pressure to be attractive, with factors like social media contributing to unrealistic beauty standards that may lead to disturbed body image or body dysmorphic disorder.

Eating disorders in men

While a desire to be thin often contributes to women developing eating disorders, men tend to be more likely to worry about having a strong, muscular physique. 

Eating disorders in men may come with a social stigma. People usually associate eating disorders with a desire to be thin, which may be seen as unmasculine. Studies have found that men may be more embarrassed or hesitant to admit that they have an eating disorder than women, and men generally do not consider eating disorders to be significant health problems. In fact, research shows that some men believe bulimia stems from a lack of willpower. Because men may believe that it is not acceptable to struggle with eating disorders, they may be less likely to seek the help they deserve.

Eating disorder prevalence in men and women

Here are some statistics to illustrate the prevalence of eating disorders in men and women:

• Between 1% and 2% of women and 0.1% to 0.3% of men will have anorexia at some point in their lives. 
• Around 25% of people with anorexia are men, but men typically have a higher chance of dying from the condition, likely due to delays in seeking treatment. 
• Bulimia affects about 1.5% of women and 0.5% of men in the US.
• About 3.5% of women and 2% of men have binge eating disorders, but there are often differences in how they report symptoms. Women tend to be more likely to report a loss of control while binging, whereas men tend to be more likely to report that overeating was accidental. 

Differences in eating disorders in men and women

Considerations for men with eating disorders

Many factors should be taken into consideration when creating a treatment plan for someone with an eating disorder. Studies show that rates of eating disorders in males appear to be increasing at a faster rate than in females. Early intervention can be critical, but men may be less likely to seek help. 

When treating men with anorexia, bulimia, and other eating disorders, there are a few important considerations. Men who seek treatment may sense they are out of place in facilities that are primarily staffed with and treat women. Recognizing that men may have different needs and presenting gender-specialized interventions may lead to better outcomes. 

Males can have some gender-specific clinical features and eating disorder symptoms to consider when developing individualized treatment plans. For example, men with anorexia may be at a higher risk for osteoporosis due to lower levels of vitamin D and testosterone. In addition, men tend to be more likely to misuse growth- or performance-enhancing medications like steroids. It can be important to take these factors into account when creating individual treatment plans.

Treatment for eating disorders

Although there can be differences between why men and women develop eating disorders and the types of co-occurring conditions they experience, men and women do not usually vary significantly in how they respond to treatment. 

In general, treatment for eating disorders is very individualized and varies depending on the specific type of eating disorder, its severity, any health complications, and co-occurring mental health conditions. The following approaches may be used.

Hospitalization and inpatient treatment

Hospitalization or other inpatient treatment is usually necessary for people who are severely underweight or who have electrolyte or other nutritional imbalances that must be corrected. These conditions usually require close monitoring. Some people may require refeeding via a feeding tube or IV if they are unable to consume enough by mouth for appropriate weight gain.

Nutritional therapy

Nutritional therapy is often an important part of treatment for all eating disorders. This type of therapy usually involves education about how metabolism works, what amounts and types of foods are required for someone’s age, gender, body type, and medical status, and how to understand natural hunger cues and develop meal plans to ensure proper nutrition. 

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy can be a crucial part of recovering from an eating disorder. Talk therapy typically focuses on a variety of areas, including learning problem-solving skills, understanding how thoughts and emotions affect behavior, and developing strategies to cope with stress. 

Eating disorders commonly occur alongside other mental health conditions, like anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Therapy can also help individuals manage the symptoms of co-occurring conditions.

If you’re looking for long-term recovery support, or if you want to improve your relationship with food, exercise, and your body, working with an online therapist can help. With an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, you can meet with a qualified mental health professional from the comfort of your home at a time that fits your schedule. There are more than 30,000 providers on the platform, and you can switch providers at any time until you find the right fit for you.

Research has found that online therapy can be an effective treatment option for eating disorders. A 2022 study that focused on people with bulimia and binge eating disorder determined that online enhanced cognitive behavioral therapy had many advantages, including bridging barriers to treatment, like shame, fear of stigma, long waiting times, and financial barriers. The study also suggested that online therapy could provide treatment at an early stage, which could promote better client outcomes.