How common are eating disorders among males?

Among people with eating disorders, mental health professionals are finding a relatively small percentage to be males: approximately 10%.¹ There is a broad consensus, however, that eating disorders in males are clinically similar to, if not indistinguishable from, eating disorders in females.²

Dieting and body shape: how males differ from females.

A national survey of 11,467 high school students and 60,861 adults revealed some gender differences.³ Among both adults and high school students, a significantly lower percentage of men were attempting to lose weight, when compared to women. In a questionnaire given to male and female college students about weight, body shape, dieting and exercise history, almost 50% fewer men described themselves as overweight. Women dieted to lose weight while men usually exercised.⁴

A sample of 1,373 high school students revealed that girls were four times more likely than boys to attempt to lose weight through exercise and calorie reduction. Boys were three times more likely than girls to try to gain weight. The cultural ideal for body shape for men versus women continues to favor slender women and athletic, V-shaped muscular men.⁵

Additional conclusions about how males and females perceive their bodies.

In general, men appear to be more comfortable with their weight and perceive less pressure to be thin than women. A national survey indicated that only 41% of men are dissatisfied with their weight as compared with 55% of women. In addition, 77% of underweight men liked their appearance as opposed to 83% of underweight women. Males were more likely than females to claim that if they were fit and exercised regularly, they felt good about their bodies. Women were more concerned with aspects of their appearance, particularly weight.⁶