Body Image and Eating Disturbance in Gay and Bisexual Men: A Review

Gay and bisexual men have been consistently found to show more symptoms of eating disorders than heterosexual men. Males suffering from these disturbances often hesitate to seek help because of the stigma associated with being a male with an eating disorder, and men and boys with eating disorders may not present stereotypical disordered eating behaviors. Thus, these disorders in men are easily missed by clinicians. Knowledge is limited about gay and bisexual men struggling with these issues. Theories regarding such problems in these populations have evolved over time, with most experts currently agreeing that these disorders are a result of multiple factors. Body dissatisfaction appears to be the critical variable that creates vulnerability to disordered eating in homosexual men. Risk factors for the development of body-image problems and eating disorders have been identified and are included. Indications for clinicians are included in this review.