Why rates of this historically ‘feminine’ disorder are rising faster in men

Melbourne man Wade Taylor, 38, has spent over a year in recovery from binge-eating disorder. He describes how the condition began during his teenage years, rooted in persistent comments about his physical size from family and friends. These early experiences shaped his relationship with food, which he later used as a means of emotional regulation. As he matured, his self-worth became increasingly tied to his appearance, especially concerning traditional ideals of the male body. "My gender had one of the biggest impacts on the disorder," Taylor says. He recalls growing up hearing remarks such as, "You could look like a beast if you just worked out," reinforcing societal expectations of masculinity. This pressure led him into a cycle of self-loathing, where chasing an unattainable ideal of physical perfection resulted in disappointment, sadness, and anger, emotions he sought to manage through binge eating, perpetuating the cycle indefinitely. Taylor is not an isolated case. According to data from the Butterfly Foundation, approximately 365,000 men in Australia are currently experiencing an eating disorder. This figure exceeds the number of men diagnosed with or surviving prostate cancer by nearly 46 percent. Sarah Cox, a clinical psychologist and manager of the Butterfly National Helpline, notes that these numbers are likely underestimated due to widespread stigma and a lack of awareness surrounding eating disorders in men. She explains that societal misconceptions often label eating disorders as "feminine" issues, leading to underreporting and delayed treatment. "Eating disorders do not discriminate," Cox emphasizes. "They affect individuals of any gender, weight, or age." The trend of rising eating disorder rates among men is becoming increasingly evident. Hospital admission statistics reveal that the rate of eating disorders in men is climbing faster than in women. In Queensland, public hospital admissions for males with eating disorders increased sixfold between 2010 and 2019. Across Australia, the number of hospitalizations related to eating disorders among men continues to grow. Young men aged 15 to 19 are identified as the most vulnerable demographic. The most commonly diagnosed conditions fall under categories defined by the DSM-5, including "other specified feeding and eating disorders" and "unspecified feeding and eating disorders." These classifications apply to cases where individuals exhibit symptoms consistent with eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia, or binge-eating disorder but do not fully meet the criteria for a specific diagnosis. Cox highlights another emerging concern: muscularity-oriented disordered eating (MODE). Men are more prone to developing behaviors aimed at achieving a highly muscular physique, often driven by cultural pressures and media influence. MODE encompasses practices such as "clean eating," strict protein intake rules, "bulking and cutting" cycles, avoidance of certain foods, calorie and macronutrient tracking, and eating beyond satiety. These behaviors reflect a broader shift in how eating disorders manifest, moving away from traditional models toward ones that prioritize muscle mass and aesthetic standards. Shane Jeffrey, a dietitian and accredited eating disorder clinician, attributes the surge in MODE-related cases to the influence of social media. He observes that platforms filled with influencers and aspirational content promote unrealistic beauty standards and toxic messages about body image and diet. "This toxic messaging now reaches young boys and men directly through their smartphones," Jeffrey says. Beyond body image, the content extends to other aspects of lifestyle and self-presentation, further complicating the psychological landscape for men navigating these pressures.