Because there’s so much misinformation and stigma around eating disorders in men and boys, those struggling can feel particularly isolated and unable to reach out for help. That means concerned loved ones may need to take a more proactive role in initiating frank conversations. It’s important to approach these conversations from a place of curiosity rather than accusation, and to hear whatever your loved one has to say without judgment or criticism.

It can also be important to help your loved one find social support that lets them know they’re not alone. This might mean a support group for men and boys with eating disorders, a male peer in recovery, or online communities.

You can also help support them by challenging your own internal beliefs about eating disorders and gender. Be aware of the implicit biases you may have, and when you see biases elsewhere—on TV, in social media, in conversation—call them out. Your words and actions will not only raise awareness about eating disorders in men and boys, but also show your loved one that you see and validate their experience.

Oftentimes, yes. And because typically “female” eating disorder symptoms are the ones that are most commonly known, this difference in gender presentation contributes to underdiagnosis among men and boys.

Here are some potential differences between male and female eating disorder symptoms:

• Men and boys with eating disorders may show less concern for their weight and body size.
• Men and boys with eating disorders are less likely to strive for thinness, but rather for being lean and muscular.
• Men tend to develop eating disorders later in life than women do, typically in the later teenage years.
• Men are less likely to report out-of-control binge eating.

It’s important to note that these differences don’t apply to every man or boy with an eating disorder. Men and boys with eating disorders may have more typically “female” symptoms, or different symptoms entirely.

Men and boys account for about one-third of those with eating disorders, a significant proportion that may be higher given how many men and boys go undiagnosed and untreated. Plus, men are nearly as likely as women to have disordered eating habits that don’t meet criteria for an eating disorder diagnosis but still negatively affect their health and life.

Eating disorders often look different in men and boys, and because most people are more familiar with typically “female” symptoms, male eating disorders can hide in plain sight. While girls and women might show more obvious red flags, like extreme weight loss and/or restriction, boys and men might show symptoms that are considered normal or even praised in our society, like “bulking and cutting,” or spending an excessive amount of time at the gym.

In addition to that, assessments traditionally used to screen for eating disorders often rely on typically female criteria. In fact, it wasn’t until 2013 that amenorrhea—the absence of one’s period—was removed from the DSM-5 as mandatory criteria for an anorexia diagnosis.

There’s also the reality of shame and stigma. Because eating disorders are so often viewed as female diseases, men and boys who are struggling might feel ashamed or embarrassed about their problem, or are even unaware that they could have an eating disorder. And because our culture tends to teach men and boys to hide their emotions, these feelings often remain buried.

Another barrier is that there’s simply a lack of proper eating disorder care for men and boys in the healthcare space. Many healthcare providers remain unaware of how common eating disorders are among men and boys, and many treatment centers cater specifically to a population of girls and women.