Eating disorders aren’t just a problem for women—men struggle with them too, especially those who want to look muscular and athletic. Researchers looked at nearly 3,000 posts from 26 muscular male content creators on Instagram and TikTok over four weeks. They found that more than half of these men showed signs of unhealthy eating or exercise habits. Using standard medical criteria, 23% officially met the diagnosis for anorexia nervosa, but when researchers adjusted the criteria to account for how men’s eating disorders look different (focusing on muscle gain instead of weight loss), 58% showed warning signs. This research suggests that doctors and parents might be missing eating disorders in boys and men because they’re looking for the wrong symptoms.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether male social media influencers who are already muscular show signs of eating disorders or unhealthy relationships with food and exercise
  • Who participated: 26 adult male content creators on Instagram and TikTok who already had muscular, athletic body types. Their posts were analyzed over a four-week period
  • Key finding: When using standard medical criteria, 23% of the men met the diagnosis for anorexia nervosa. However, when researchers adjusted the criteria to look for male-specific warning signs (like obsessing over muscle gain rather than weight loss), 58% showed eating disorder tendencies
  • What it means for you: If you’re a young man or parent of a boy, be aware that eating disorders in males may look different than in females—they often involve obsessing over building muscle rather than losing weight. Early education about realistic body goals may help prevent these problems from developing

The Research Details

Researchers selected 26 male content creators from Instagram and TikTok who already had muscular, athletic builds. Over four weeks, they collected and analyzed 2,985 posts from these creators. They looked at the content to see if it showed signs of eating disorder behaviors, using official medical diagnostic criteria as their starting point.

The researchers then adapted the standard diagnostic criteria to better fit how eating disorders show up in men. Instead of just looking for extreme weight loss (which is the typical sign in women), they also looked for obsessive focus on building muscle, extreme exercise routines, and restrictive eating patterns aimed at achieving the “perfect” physique.

About 69% of all the posts analyzed were related to diet, exercise, or body image topics, which shows how much of these creators’ content focuses on appearance and fitness.

This research approach is important because current medical criteria for eating disorders were developed primarily by studying women. Men’s eating disorders often look different—instead of trying to become thin, men may obsess over becoming more muscular. By analyzing actual social media content, researchers could see real-world behaviors that might be missed by traditional diagnostic tools. This helps doctors and parents recognize when boys and men need help

This study has some important limitations to understand: The sample size is relatively small (only 26 people), so results may not apply to all male content creators. The study only looked at men who already had muscular builds, so it doesn’t tell us about men with other body types. The researchers were analyzing public posts, which may not show the full picture of someone’s eating habits or mental health. The study was conducted over just four weeks, which is a short time period. However, the strength of this study is that it looked at real behavior on social media rather than relying on self-reported information

What the Results Show

Using the standard medical criteria for anorexia nervosa, 6 out of 26 men (23%) met the official diagnosis. This is significant because eating disorders in men are often underdiagnosed, and many people don’t realize that men can have anorexia nervosa.

When researchers adjusted the diagnostic criteria to account for how eating disorders appear differently in men—focusing on the obsession with building muscle rather than just weight loss—the numbers increased dramatically. Using these adapted criteria, 15 out of 26 men (58%) showed tendencies toward eating disorders. This means more than half of the male content creators studied displayed warning signs of disordered eating or exercise behaviors.

The analysis of their posts showed that 69% of all content was related to diet, exercise, and body image. This heavy focus on appearance and fitness suggests these creators are deeply invested in their physical appearance, which can be a risk factor for developing unhealthy behaviors.

The difference between the 23% and 58% figures is important: it shows that current medical tools designed for women may be missing many cases of eating disorders in men. The male-specific adaptations—like recognizing obsessive muscle-building as a warning sign—helped identify more people who needed help.

The research highlights that male eating disorders often center on achieving muscularity and athletic appearance rather than extreme thinness. This is a key difference from how eating disorders typically present in women. The study also shows that social media plays a significant role in promoting these unrealistic body ideals to men and boys. Content creators who focus heavily on fitness and body image may be both influenced by and contributing to these pressures in their audiences

Previous research has shown that eating disorders are underdiagnosed in men, partly because doctors and the public associate them primarily with women and thinness. This study adds to growing evidence that men experience eating disorders at higher rates than previously thought, but with different presentations. The finding that 58% of these men showed eating disorder tendencies aligns with recent research suggesting that male-specific eating disorders are more common than traditional statistics indicate. This research supports the idea that diagnostic criteria need to be updated to better recognize eating disorders in men

The study only included 26 men, which is a small group. Results from such a small sample may not apply to all male content creators or men in general. The study only looked at men who already had muscular, athletic builds—we don’t know if these findings apply to men with other body types. The research only examined four weeks of social media posts, which is a relatively short time period. Social media posts may not tell the complete story of someone’s eating habits or mental health—people may present a curated version of their lives online. The study focused on content creators, who may have different pressures and behaviors than the general male population. The researchers had to adapt the diagnostic criteria themselves, which means there’s some subjectivity in how they identified eating disorder tendencies

The Bottom Line

Parents and educators should teach boys and young men about realistic body goals and the dangers of extreme dieting or exercise routines (moderate confidence—based on small study). Young men who spend significant time on fitness-focused social media should be aware of the risk of developing unhealthy relationships with food and exercise (moderate confidence). Healthcare providers should be trained to recognize eating disorder symptoms in men, which may look different than in women, such as obsessive muscle-building rather than extreme weight loss (moderate confidence). If you notice signs of disordered eating or exercise in a young man—such as extreme restriction of food, obsessive exercise, or preoccupation with muscle gain—encourage him to speak with a healthcare provider (strong recommendation based on general medical knowledge)

Young men and teenage boys should care about this research, especially those who follow fitness influencers or spend time on social media focused on body image. Parents of sons should be aware that boys can develop eating disorders and that the warning signs may look different than they expect. Healthcare providers, coaches, and fitness professionals should understand that eating disorders in men are more common than traditionally recognized. Teachers and school counselors should use this information to educate students about realistic body goals. Social media platforms and content creators should consider the impact their content has on viewers’ body image and mental health

If someone is already showing signs of eating disorder behaviors, changes won’t happen overnight. Recovery from eating disorders typically takes months to years with proper support. However, early intervention and education can help prevent these behaviors from developing in the first place. If you’re concerned about someone’s eating or exercise habits, seeking professional help sooner rather than later is important

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily food intake and exercise routines to identify patterns of restriction or excessive exercise. Users can log meals, snacks, and workouts, then review weekly summaries to spot concerning patterns like consistently eating too little or exercising excessively
  • Set realistic fitness and nutrition goals based on health rather than appearance alone. Instead of tracking only muscle gain or weight loss, focus on energy levels, strength improvements, and overall wellness. The app could help users distinguish between healthy fitness goals and potentially disordered behaviors
  • Implement a monthly check-in feature where users answer questions about their relationship with food and exercise, such as: ‘Do you feel anxious when you can’t exercise?’ or ‘Do you restrict foods you enjoy?’ This helps identify warning signs early. Users could also track mood and stress levels alongside eating and exercise to see connections between emotional state and behaviors

This research is based on analysis of social media posts from a small group of 26 male content creators and should not be used for self-diagnosis. Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that require professional evaluation and treatment. If you or someone you know is struggling with eating, exercise, or body image concerns, please consult with a healthcare provider, mental health professional, or contact the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) helpline. This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. The findings suggest that eating disorders in men may be underdiagnosed, but individual diagnosis requires a comprehensive evaluation by a qualified healthcare provider.