Can reclassifying muscle dysmorphia unlock better care for boys and men?

August 20, 2026 - 06:54

Men now account for roughly one in three people in the United States who struggle with eating disorders, a shift that challenges the long-held belief that these conditions mostly affect women. For many males, the issue does not center on being thin but on being lean and muscular, a condition known as muscle dysmorphia. This disorder, sometimes called bigorexia, drives a relentless pursuit of a bulkier physique, leading to compulsive workouts, strict dieting, and often the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

The problem is that current diagnostic manuals group muscle dysmorphia under body dysmorphic disorder, which focuses on a perceived flaw in appearance. That classification misses the eating disorder behaviors that often come with it, such as restrictive eating, binge-purge cycles, or an obsession with protein intake. As a result, many men do not recognize their symptoms as an eating disorder and never seek help. Clinicians also lack clear guidelines for treatment, leaving many patients without proper care.

There is a growing push among researchers to reclassify muscle dysmorphia as its own distinct eating disorder. Doing so would allow for more targeted therapies that address the specific drive for muscularity rather than just the anxiety about looks. It would also open the door for better screening in sports settings and gyms, where these behaviors often go unnoticed. For the millions of men affected, a new classification is not just a technical change. It could be the key to finally getting the right kind of help.