Eating disorders have mostly been handed over to the female population. This is because of the apparent prevalence of eating disorders in women but more and more men are showing up with eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. Actually now about 10% are male. Doctors are rather gender bias when it comes to this topic in men and are less likely to identify it. Men are more likely to be diagnosed as suffering depression with associated appetite changes than receive a primary diagnosis of an eating disorder.

The hidden problem of eating disorders in men is cultural. Women tend to discuss emotions and psychological problems more than men. Anorexia and bulimia are perceived as a woman's problems. Discussion of weight issues, weight control, linking thinness with beauty are common features in women's magazines and so are eating disorders. Young women can therefore adopt the same behavior without it being seen as too socially unacceptable.

The lack of visibility of anorexia or bulimia in the male world means a number of things. Men do not discuss eating disorders. Men tend not to share the information with other men because the subject is a female issue. Men's beauty has to do with body mass, muscle bulge and definition, not weight loss. This male world, socially defined as powerful and masculine results in men not seeking help because of their reluctance to admit to the problem.

Studies have shown that there are a significant numbers of young males experiencing problem weight control behavior. There are males that diet all the time or more than ten times a year, deliberately vomit after eating, and have a history of binge eating. Men are susceptible to cultural demands for perfect bodies just as women are. These demands take different forms for men. Eating disorders in boys can begin in their desire to be competitive. Adolescent boys dealing with changes in their bodies are many times beginning to have more interest in sports. In some cases, sports create unique problems.

Men tend to value having lean bodies with high muscle mass. These goals are not bad goals. But unhealthy desire for "perfection" can lead to use of human growth hormone or steroids to bulk up. Some men work out because they are experience symptoms of body Dysmorphic disorder, a preoccupation with obscure aspects of one's appearance. This is another disorder that falls under the eating disorder category.