What if I told you your son could be struggling silently, just like hers did?
The Hidden Rise of Eating Disorders in Boys and Young Men. When I went by the library to drop off flyers for my workshop called, “Watchful, not Worried: Helping Your Child Navigate Body Image, Eating, and Mental Health,” the librarian asked me to wait. She followed me out the door and said, “I really wish something like this had been offered when my boys were teens because both of them had eating disorders.”
This isn’t rare anymore. A new study shows that in the U.S. and Canada, over 1 in 5 boys are affected by eating disorders. It is still rare for families to talk about it. It’s also rare to catch the signs and symptoms and easier to brush it off as he is just being healthy.
But here’s the heartbreaking reality: most parents don’t see it coming. Many doctors don’t either. Boys are less likely to admit when they’re struggling, and the signs often look different than what we expect.
Why must we face this?
The ultimate price someone pays for having an eating disorder is death. “Eating disorders are among the deadliest mental illnesses, second only to opioid overdose.” NEDA, citing NIH data — Additionally, eating disorders bring much pain and disruption to the individual suffering from it as well as to their loved ones. Early detection and prevention make a huge impact on recovery.
That’s why it’s time to stop looking away.
Why Boys Are at Risk (and Why We’re Missing It): The Hidden Rise of Eating Disorders in Boys
For years, eating disorders were seen as a “girl’s issue.” That false belief has caused countless boys to suffer in silence.
Here’s what we now know:
- Pressure looks different. Many boys aren’t chasing “thinness”—they’re chasing lean, muscular, and fit, fueled by sports culture and social media.
- Doctors miss it. Many medical providers are still less likely to screen boys for disordered eating, especially if they don’t “look” underweight. Many doctors don’t know what questions to ask or advice to give. It is a sensitive and specialized area.
- Certain groups are at higher risk. Boys in larger bodies and those who identify as LGBTQ+ are especially vulnerable to body image pressure, bullying, and cultural stigma.
The Signs You Can’t Afford to Miss: The Hidden Rise of Eating Disorders in Boys and Young Men
If you wait for obvious signs, you might already be too late. Look for:
⚠️ Skipping meals or cutting out entire food groups
⚠️ Over-exercising, training through injury, or obsessing over weigh-ins
⚠️ Anger, secrecy, or shame around food
⚠️ Fast weight changes (gain or loss)
⚠️ Drastic shifts in mood, behavior, or routines
The Deadly Truth
Eating disorders are the second deadliest mental illness after opioid overdose. But early awareness can change everything.
✔️ Catch it early.
✔️ Start the conversation, even when it feels uncomfortable.
✔️ Model positive body talk and social media literacy at home.
Your awareness could be the difference between silence and recovery.
Don’t Wait for Rock Bottom
The truth? Both boys and girls are under pressure. Many kids, adolescents, and young adults are battling anxiety, depression, as well as other mental illness. But when it comes to eating disorders and mental health in general, boys are often overlooked—sometimes even by the people who love them most. Research shows that men are less likely than women to seek preventive medical care—whether for physical health, mental health, or weight-related concerns. Cultural pressure to “be tough” or “not need help” keeps many men silent. Eating disorders can also be easier to hide in males, which means families and even doctors may miss the signs until the illness is more advanced.
Society is quick to call out thinness in girls, yet the reality is that many people with eating disorders are not underweight—regardless of gender. That misconception leaves countless cases undetected.
⚠️ Early Warning Signs to Watch For:
- Skipping meals or following rigid “clean eating” rules
- Exercising excessively, even when injured or exhausted
- Rapid weight changes (up or down)
- Anger, secrecy, or shame around food
- Leaving meals to use the bathroom immediately afterward
- Increased talk about weight, muscle tone, or body image
- Withdrawal from friends or activities once enjoyed
Eating disorders can escalate quickly. Severe restriction, compulsive exercise, or purging behaviors put enormous strain on the body. While the heart is often the last organ to fail, damage to the cardiovascular system and other organs can begin early.
The good news: early recognition and treatment save lives. The sooner symptoms are identified and addressed, the greater the chance of full recovery and preventing long-term harm.
Take the First Step Today
He won’t always say he’s struggling. Doctors won’t always catch it. But you can.
📄 I created a free resource to help you start: “5 Questions Every Parent Should Ask to Catch Eating Disorders Early.”Parents are already finding it eye-opening and practical.
👉 Download your free copy here and start the conversation that could save your child’s health—and their life.
💡 Awareness saves lives. Don’t look away.
If you or someone you know may be struggling with an eating disorder, use this link for your complimentary 30 minute coaching session today.
I offer parent coaching and health & wellness coaching designed to help families or individuals spot early signs of eating disorders, strengthen positive body talk, and prevent struggles before they begin, check out: www.siahfriedcoach.com
Book your complimentary consult here