Eating Disorders in Men and Gender-Diverse People: Understanding, Supporting, and Healing
Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that affect people of all genders. Yet for far too long, they have been misunderstood as primarily affecting women. This misconception contributes to stigma, underdiagnosis, and delayed access to care for men and gender-diverse people.
At Being and Becoming Counselling and Wellness Services, a counselling clinic in Burnaby, BC, we specialize in the treatment of eating disorders and provide affirming, inclusive therapy for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals. We are committed to increasing awareness of how eating disorders show up in men and gender-diverse people, promoting early recognition, and supporting healing through compassionate, evidence-based care.
In this article, we’ll explore:
Why eating disorders in men and gender-diverse people are often underrecognized
Unique factors that contribute to disordered eating in these communities
Common symptoms and warning signs
Barriers to seeking help
What effective, inclusive treatment looks like
How loved ones can offer meaningful support
Why the Misconception Exists: Eating Disorders Aren’t Gender-Exclusive
Historically, eating disorders were framed as “women’s illnesses,” shaped by early research, cultural stereotypes, and media portrayals. While prevalence rates once appeared higher among women, more recent research shows that men account for up to one-third of people with eating disorders, and that transgender and gender-diverse individuals experience disproportionately high rates compared to cisgender peers.
Despite this, eating disorders in these populations are still frequently missed or misdiagnosed. Symptoms may look different, or individuals may feel pressure to hide their struggles due to shame, stigma, or fear of not being taken seriously. As a result, many people go untreated for years, increasing the risk of medical, psychological, and social harm.
Unique Influences on Men and Gender-Diverse People
1. Social and Cultural Pressures
Body ideals differ across genders and communities, but they can be equally harmful:
Men may experience pressure to achieve a lean, muscular, or “athletic” body, often reinforced by fitness culture and social media
Gender-diverse individuals may struggle with body dissatisfaction connected to gender dysphoria, where aspects of their body feel incongruent with their gender identity
Cultural norms, fashion trends, and online spaces can promote rigid rules around food, weight, and exercise
These pressures can contribute to restrictive eating, compulsive exercise, binge-purge cycles, or other disordered behaviors.
2. Under-Recognized Motivations Behind Disordered Eating
Disordered eating in men and gender-diverse people may be driven by factors that are often overlooked, such as:
Attempts to gain muscle or control body composition
Efforts to reduce or emphasize certain physical traits related to gender identity
Coping with anxiety, depression, trauma, or minority stress
Internalized stigma related to body image, gender, or mental health
Understanding these motivations is essential for effective, compassionate treatment.
3. Intersection with Other Identities
Eating disorders do not exist in isolation. Experiences of race, culture, sexuality, disability, and socioeconomic status intersect with gender and shape how eating disorders develop and are experienced.
For example:
Gay, bisexual, and queer men may face heightened appearance pressures
Trans and nonbinary people may experience rejection or lack of safety in family, medical, or community spaces
Systemic barriers can limit access to affirming care
These realities highlight the importance of culturally responsive, gender-affirming therapy, which is central to our work at Being and Becoming.
Recognizing Eating Disorder Symptoms in Men and Gender-Diverse People
Eating disorder symptoms can look different across genders and may be normalized in fitness or wellness spaces. Common signs include:
Behavioural Signs
Rigid or compulsive exercise routines
Strict food rules, dieting, or meal skipping
Obsessive calorie, macro, or body tracking
Avoiding eating in social situations
Use of laxatives, diuretics, or diet pills
Binge eating followed by secrecy or shame
Emotional and Psychological Signs
Fear of weight gain or loss of muscle
Persistent body dissatisfaction or body checking
Shame, guilt, or harsh self-criticism around food or movement
Avoiding gendered spaces (e.g., gyms, locker rooms) due to body distress
Physical Signs
Weight changes or fluctuations
Fatigue, dizziness, or fainting
Digestive concerns
Sleep disturbances
Changes in heart rate, blood pressure, or hormones
Specific Considerations for Gender-Diverse People
For some transgender and nonbinary individuals, eating disorder symptoms may be closely tied to gender dysphoria. Attempts to control weight or shape may feel like a way to manage distress about one’s body. While not all body-related distress is an eating disorder, disordered eating can develop as a coping strategy and significantly impact well-being.
A gender-affirming therapeutic approach recognizes this complexity without pathologizing identity.
Barriers to Seeking Help
Men and gender-diverse people often face unique challenges when accessing care:
Stigma and stereotypes that eating disorders are a “women’s issue”
Fear of dismissal or misgendering by healthcare providers
Lack of representation in public messaging and recovery narratives
Misdiagnosis or minimization of symptoms
Fear of vulnerability or loss of control during treatment
Reducing these barriers starts with inclusive education and affirming clinical spaces.
What Effective, Inclusive Treatment Looks Like
At Being and Becoming Counselling and Wellness Services, eating disorder treatment is about more than food or weight — it’s about healing relationships with body, identity, and self-worth.
Effective care often includes:
Gender-Affirming Therapy
Respect for names, pronouns, and identities
Understanding how gender dysphoria and body image intersect
Creating a safe, non-judgmental therapeutic environment
Evidence-Based, Trauma-Informed Approaches
Therapies such as CBT, DBT, and emotion-focused or trauma-informed modalities
Attention to anxiety, depression, trauma, and minority stress
Collaborative, Holistic Support
Coordination with dietitians, medical providers, or other supports when appropriate
Care that adapts to your goals, needs, and lived experience
Building Resilience and Self-Compassion
Developing coping skills and emotional regulation
Reconnecting with body cues and nourishment
Cultivating a sense of self beyond appearance or control
When treatment honours who you are, recovery becomes not just possible — but sustainable.
Supporting Someone You Care About
If you’re worried about someone in your life:
Educate yourself about how eating disorders can show up across genders
Speak with empathy and curiosity, not judgment
Encourage professional, affirming support
Validate their experience, including the role gender may play
Remember to seek support for yourself as well
Your care can make a meaningful difference.
If You’re Wondering About Your Own Relationship with Food or Body
You’re not alone if you find yourself thinking:
“I feel out of control around food or exercise.”
“My body size or shape affects how I see myself.”
“I feel anxious if I don’t follow strict rules.”
“I tried reaching out before, but didn’t feel understood.”
These experiences matter. You deserve support that is respectful, affirming, and informed.
Your Story Matters
Eating disorders thrive in silence and stigma — but healing happens in connection.
At Being and Becoming Counselling and Wellness Services, we believe in:
Inclusive, 2SLGBTQIA+ affirming care
Compassionate, evidence-based eating disorder treatment
Collaborative healing that centres your lived experience
Recovery isn’t about achieving a specific body or identity — it’s about reclaiming your relationship with yourself, food, and life.
If you’re ready to take the next step, we’re here to support you.