Breaking the Silence: Eating Disorders in Men & Boys & the Toll of Toxic Masculinity

In this essential solo episode, Dr. Marianne challenges the narrow and harmful narrative that eating disorders primarily affect girls and women. She explores how toxic masculinity shapes, and often hides, disordered eating and body shame in boys and men. Backed by recent research, this episode unpacks how muscle dysmorphia, bingeing, and restriction are frequently dismissed as “normal” male behaviors, even when they reflect deep emotional pain. Dr. Marianne offers a liberation-focused framework for understanding the unique barriers boys and men face in getting help, and how we can dismantle the systems that reinforce silence, shame, and suffering. CONTENT CAUTION:This episode includes discussion of eating disorder behaviors, muscle dysmorphia, trauma, and toxic masculinity. Please take care while listening. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: How toxic masculinity discourages emotional expression and reinforces disordered eating Why boys and men with eating disorders are often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed What muscle dysmorphia is and how it manifests in teen boys and adult men How social media trends like “looksmaxxing” fuel body obsession and psychological distress The role of trauma, emotional suppression, and performance culture in male ED experiences How clinicians, caregivers, and educators can support male-identified folks through a liberationist lens What affirming, emotionally honest healing can look like outside of gendered expectations LISTEN TO OTHER EPISODES ABOUT MEN, MUSCULARITY, & EATING DISORDERS: Men, Muscularity, Exercise, & Eating Disorder Stigmas with George Mycock, MSc @myo_minds on Apple & Spotify. Muscularity-Oriented Issues, Men, & Eating Disorders with MyoMinds’ George Mycock, MSc on Apple & Spotify. Men, Eating Disorders, & Body Image with Jonny Landels, Certified Nutritionist & Personal Trainer on Apple & Spotify. RESOURCES & LINKS:Work with Dr. Marianne: www.drmariannemiller.comFollow on Instagram: @drmariannemiller RATE & REVIEW:If this episode spoke to you, please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with your community. Your support helps amplify these critical conversations and brings liberation-based eating disorder care to more people. INTERESTED IN HANGING OUT MORE IN DR. MARIANNE-LAND? Follow me on Instagram @drmariannemiller Check out my virtual, self-paced ARFID and Selective Eating course Look into my self-paced, virtual, anti-diet, subscription-based curriculum. It is called Dr. Marianne-Land's Binge Eating Recovery Membership. Check out my blog. Want more information? Email me at [email protected]