In today’s world, beauty standards have a powerful grip on how people see themselves and their bodies.
For decades, the focus has largely been on how these standards affect women, often linking them to
issues like low self-esteem, body dissatisfaction, and eating disorders. However, the conversation is
shifting as we begin to recognize that these pressures don’t just impact women—they affect people of
all genders. Men, non-binary individuals, and others are increasingly facing their own struggles with
body image, often fueled by unrealistic ideals perpetuated by media, advertising, and cultural norms.
This case study dives into the complex relationship between gender and eating disorders, exploring how
beauty standards shape body image across the gender spectrum.
While eating disorders have historically been seen as a “female problem,” the reality is far more
inclusive. Men, for example, are often pressured to achieve a muscular, lean physique, which can lead to
unhealthy behaviors like excessive exercise or restrictive eating. Non-binary and gender-diverse
individuals may face unique challenges, as they navigate societal expectations that often don’t align with
their identities. By examining these dynamics, this study aims to broaden the understanding of how
beauty standards impact everyone, not just women. It also highlights the need for a more inclusive
approach to addressing body image issues and eating disorders, one that acknowledges the diverse
experiences of all genders.
According to National Eating Disorder Organization, people of all genders experience body image issues,
however the prevalence and ways in which they manifest vary. In our Western culture, girls and women
often feel pressure to succumb to the societal appearance-ideal (sometimes referred to as the thin-,
beauty-, or cultural-ideal), whereas boys and men are often faced with social pressures to be lean and
muscular. Indeed, studies have found that 69-84% of women experience body dissatisfaction, desiring to
be a lower weight than they currently are, and 10% to 30% of men exhibit body dissatisfaction with the
primary concern being a desire to become more muscular. One study even found that 90% of boys in
their sample were dissatisfied with their muscularity.10,11 For nonbinary and transgender folks,
research has found that a perceived inconsistency between one’s body shape and the body ideals of the
gender they identify as increases body dissatisfaction.12 For example, a study of transgender men
reported that prior to gender affirming surgery they had higher rates of body dissatisfaction than their
cisgender counterparts.13 Experiences of anti-transgender discrimination and internalized stigma were
also found to increase body image issues among transgender individuals. Gay and bisexual men have
higher rates of body image dissatisfaction and a drive for thinness than their heterosexual
counterparts.15,16 While some studies have found that lesbian women have lower rates of body
dissatisfaction than heterosexual women, most indicate that rates of body image issues are about the
same for all women regardless of sexual orientation.
Parents’ negative comments about their own bodies, engaging in excessive exercise or restrictive dieting
can unintentionally influence their child’s body image. Furthermore, parents’ teasing or commenting
about a child’s appearance or pressures to lose weight can directly affect their child’s body image.
As stated also by Rene (2011), although eating disorders (EDs) are uncommon in males, one of the first
descriptions of anorexia nervosa (AN) in 1689 was of an adolescent male (Silverman, 1997). Today, ED in
males may be under-diagnosed due to lack of physician awareness, and because males may be less likely
to seek medical advice for a condition that is considered a “female mental illness”. The diagnosis may
also be less obvious in males as the endocrine manifestations of ED in males have no analogue to the
criterion of amenorrhea in females. Testosterone levels and sexual function gradually decrease in males
with ED in contrast to the obvious change in menstrual function triggering clinical concerns for female
patients. Thus, males are reported to account for 5–10% of patients with AN (Lucas et al., 1991). Of a
total of 761 patients with different EDs consecutively admitted to a specialized unit, 6.7% were males
(Braun et al., 1999). Diagnostic shifts between the different EDs over time are very common.
PURPOSE
This study aims to investigate the connection between gender and eating disorders, focusing on how
societal beauty standards shape body image for people of all genders. While much of the existing
research has concentrated on women, this study seeks to expand the conversation by exploring how
these pressures affect men, non-binary individuals, and other gender identities. By doing so, it
challenges the common assumption that eating disorders are predominantly a female concern and
highlights the varied ways beauty ideals impact body dissatisfaction and unhealthy eating patterns
across the gender spectrum.
Furthermore, the study aims to bring attention to the unique struggles faced by those who don’t fit
within traditional gender norms, as they often encounter distinct pressures related to body image.
Ultimately, the goal is to promote a more inclusive understanding of eating disorders and to encourage
gender-sensitive approaches in prevention, treatment, and support systems. Through this work, the
study hopes to contribute to a broader, more empathetic conversation about body image and mental
health that acknowledges the experiences of all genders.
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