The hospitalization rates for young men with eating disorders have increased by an astonishing 416% from 2000 to 2019. Despite this dramatic increase, eating disorders are nevertheless commonly perceived as a “women’s issue”, perpetuating stigma and misconceptions.

Eating disorders carry the highest death rate of all mental health concerns, underscoring the severity of the trend. The question is, why are we witnessing this troubling rise in eating disorders among young men?

10 million American boys and men will experience an eating disorder in their lifetime. The pervasive stereotype that men do not suffer from eating disorders can lead to misdiagnosis or failure to detect, which can ultimately be fatal.

A 2023 Canadian study published by The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) tracked a 139% rise in eating disorder hospitalizations within the general youth population, but the increase among young men was even more striking—a staggering 416%.

The most significant increase in hospitalizations were observed among young men aged 12 to 14, as well as individuals with “atypical diagnoses,” referring to those diagnosed with eating disorders other than anorexia or bulimia. These findings underscore the urgent need for identifying and educating at-risk populations.

Researchers at SickKids offered several possible explanations for the rising rates, including an overall increase in prevalence, improved screening and detection, and stigma reduction.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous studies reported an increase in eating disorders. The pandemic created a “perfect storm” of factors that led to a decrease in protective factors while heightening risk. A 2024 study attributed the increase in hospitalizations to disruptions in daily routine, isolation, exacerbation of mental health issues, diminished social support, and reduction in access to care.

We spoke with Samantha Goren, a Registered Dietitian with over ten years of experience working with individuals with eating disorders, who has observed a shift in how men are perceiving their bodies.

Goren explained, “I do see more and more men both in my practice and in general who are preoccupied with food and with their bodies. For teen males who are very focused on their appearance and fitness, they’re going to the gym and building muscle and their appearance. And with that, I think, comes modifying their diet and making different choices. And I think we see that across the board in society and in social media.”

Another factor contributing to the rise in eating disorders may be the pervasive use of social media. With the click of a few buttons, individuals can alter their appearance using tools like filters and photoshop, which fosters unrealistic body image standards.

In recent years, there has been an increase in “fitspiration” and workout accounts using platforms to spread the message of healthy eating, going to the gym, and “getting gains”. While such messaging can serve as an inspiration for many, for those with eating disorders, ‘fitspo’ can be detrimental.

When asked if eating disorders manifest differently in men and women, Goren shared her concerns: “I’ve seen men with eating disorders that look no different than women with eating disorders…. I think with women, we often see that drive for thinness. With men, we often see that drive for a sort of muscular physique. However, I do think that there are men who do have the drive for thinness and fear of gaining weight. I think it starts with wanting to change the way that they look and going to the gym more often and starting to get healthier, and then I think it sometimes does evolve into a full-blown eating disorder.”

The alarming rise in eating disorder hospitalizations among young men underscores a critical gap in awareness and support. It’s essential to challenge the stigma surrounding these disorders and acknowledge that they can affect anyone, regardless of gender. Raising awareness and promoting accessible resources are essential steps in ensuring that boys and men affected by eating disorders get the help they need.

-Taylor Alves, Contributing Writer

Image Credits:

Feature: Annie Spratt at Unsplash, Creative Commons

First: Jennifer Burk at Unsplash, Creative Commons

Second: Elias Vicario at Unsplash, Creative Commons