Men & Anorexia: Breaking the Silence - How Does Mpower Help?

“A 25-year-old gym enthusiast meticulously tracks every gram of protein but skips meals to stay 'shredded.”

“A 40-year-old executive survives on black coffee and stress, believing ' real men don’t eat lunch.”

“A college athlete collapses during practice—not from exhaustion, but starvation.”

This is male anorexia in India, and no one’s talking about it.

Why? Because society still clings to the dangerous myth that eating disorders are a “woman’s problem.” Meanwhile, 1 in 3 anorexia cases globally are men, many of whom suffer in silence, ashamed to seek help.

Male anorexia often hides behind 'fitness culture.' But when does discipline become disorder? Time to spot the difference between dedication and destruction.

Fitness or Disorder? When Healthy Habits Mask Male Anorexia

The gym locker room echoes with familiar banter:

Guy 1: “Bro, you eating carbs today?”

Guy 2: “Nah, cutting for summer, Same – just chicken breast and tears.”

We laugh, but beneath the jokes lies a dangerous truth: Male anorexia often wears the mask of 'fitness.

The Fine Line Between Dedication and Destruction

Section 1: Male Anorexia – The Hidden Epidemic

How Anorexia Looks Different in Men

While women with anorexia often fear weight gain, men’s struggles are masked by Fitness culture, workaholism, or even Social Stigma

Healthy Discipline:

• Tracking macros for balanced nutrition
• Rest days for recovery
• Goals focused on strength/performance

Fitness Culture” Obsession: may look like

Not “I want to be thin” but “I need to get ripped.”

Orthorexia (clean eating gone wrong) + muscle dysmorphia (“I’m never big enough”).

Disordered Behavior

• Cutting entire food groups (no fats, no carbs)
• Exercising through injury or exhaustion
• Self-worth tied to body fat percentage
• Skipping meals due to work

Workaholism as a Cover

Skipping meals = “too busy,” not “disordered.”

Starvation becomes a badge of honor in hustle culture.

Red Flags in Gym Culture:

• Cheat meal” guilt that ruins entire weekends
• Calling overtraining ”dedication
• Weighing food but never emotions

Why Men Die Sooner

Male anorexia is deadlier because:

• Diagnosed late (doctors don’t screen men).
• Higher suicide risk (shame + lack of support).
• Cardiac damage worsens before anyone notices.

Dark Truth is “We applaud men for ‘discipline’ until their hearts give out.”

Why Men Don’t Get Help

Barrier 1: “I Don’t Look Sick Enough”

• Men with anorexia often don’t look emaciated (thanks, muscle mass).
• Atypical anorexia exists—normal weight, but dangerously restrictive habits.

Barrier 2: “Therapy is for ‘Crazy’ People”

• Men are less likely to seek therapy (fear of judgment).

At MPOWER, we have Male therapists who “get it” and help you through these judgments.

Barrier 3: “No One Takes Me Seriously”

• Doctors often misdiagnose male anorexia as depression or stress.

MPOWER has trained medical professionals to spot male-specific red flags.

How we at MPOWER help Men Recover from Anorexia or identify its signs.

Male-Anorexia Programs through outreach

Where we talk about No “one-size-fits-all” at therapy—we address the Gym culture pressures, Workplace stress, and Societal shame

Corporate India Interventions with outreach sessions

Wellness workshops that don’t glorify “hustle over health,” as well as Manager training to spot at-risk employees.

Digital Safe Spaces

Confidential support groups for men, as well as a 24/7 helpline number (because midnight anxiety is real).

The stories we’ve shared—the gym enthusiast, the overworked executive, the disciplined athlete—are not outliers. They represent thousands of men across India suffering in silence, their struggles dismissed as “discipline,” “hustle,” or “just how men are.” But here’s the truth: Anorexia doesn’t care about gender. It thrives in secrecy, feeds on shame, and kills just as mercilessly, whether the victim is male or female.

Why This Matters Now More Than Ever

India’s fitness industry is booming. Corporate hustle culture is glorified. Social media celebrates extreme transformations. In this environment, male anorexia is not just increasing—it’s being actively rewarded.

Consider these alarming realities:

• 65% of Indian men with eating disorders never seek help (NIMHANS, 2023)
• Muscle dysmorphia (bigorexia) cases have tripled in gyms since 2020
• Workplace “wellness” programs often unknowingly promote disordered eating

This isn’t just about individuals—it’s about systemic change.

What Needs to Change (And How You Can Help)

For Men Suffering in Silence

If you see yourself in these stories, you are not weak. Admitting you need help takes more strength than any workout., Your worth isn’t measured in kilos or abs. Recovery is possible!

For Loved Ones

If you suspect someone is struggling

Do:

Express concern without judgment (“I’ve noticed you’re stressed about food...”)

Offer specific help (“Let’s find a doctor together”)

Don’t:

Compliment weight loss (“You look great!” fuels the disorder.)

Enable behaviors (“I won’t tell anyone you’re not eating”

For Gyms & Workplaces

MPOWER’s industry partnerships help:

Trainers: Spot dangerous behaviors (do not celebrate them), HR Teams: Implement real wellness (not starvation challenges), Coaches: Balance performance with health

Hope Is Not a Strategy – Action Is

This isn’t about weight. It’s about why we measure men’s worth by their ability to suffer silently. At MPOWER, we’re rewriting the script:

• Real strength isn’t starving.
• Recovery isn’t weakness.
• Asking for help isn’t shameful—it’s revolutionary.

To every man reading this: Your struggle is valid, your pain is real, and you deserve support. Break the silence. Tag a friend who needs to hear this. Share your story anonymously. Or walk through our doors today.

The era of “man up” is over. The age of “heal up” starts now.

We leave you with three final truths:

• Recovery is possible.
• Early intervention saves lives. The average male anorexia case goes 2.5 years before diagnosis.
• Silence = Complicity. Every time we laugh off “just chicken and tears,” we normalize a killer.

MPOWER’s doors (and inboxes) are open. Because no man should have to choose between his health and his pride.