You know those supremely fit, often exquisitely chiseled guys who never miss their daily run or their two-hour workout and who seem to plan their lives around staying in shape and looking good? We may admire their discipline and dedication, but according to Sondra Kronberg, MS, RD, CDN, director and cofounder of Eating Disorder Associates Treatment and Referral Centers in New York City, guys like that may have an eating disorder just like women—with one exception. “Males are not striving to be thin, they’re striving to be fit and muscular. They’re looking to be big and buff.” And increasingly they’ll do anything it takes to achieve their goal.

Eating disorder specialists have seen an enormous increase in the number of men seeking treatment. The National Eating Disorders Asso-ciation claims one million men have serious eating disorders—they account for 25 percent of binge eaters—and tens of millions more have some form of the condition.

Kronberg says athletes, particularly wrestlers and gymnasts, men with gender issues, perfectionists, and obese boys all have an increased risk for this syndrome. The early warning signs? “When people become rigid and inflexible about when they can work out, how they can work out, and who they can work out with, then I think we have a problem.”

—James Keough

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