Research indicates that up to 25% of people experiencing an eating disorder are male. However, many experts believe that the number could be much higher, as the stigma surrounding eat disorders in men prevent many from seeking help.
Many men go undiagnosed as having an eating disorder, either due to their own reluctance to seek help, stigma and a lack of awareness in the community, or because of a lack of understanding from health practitioners.
Men are more likely to experience binge eating disorder than other eating disorders, but the prevalence of men with anorexia or bulimia is also increasing. While eating disorders in females often starts in adolescent years, men tend to develop eating disorders at an older age. The average age of onset in males is 17–26 compared to 15–18 in females.1