Experts urge DSM to list muscle dysmorphia as eating disorder to improve care for men

Males account for roughly one third of people in the United States who struggle with eating disorders, and many of these conditions begin in the teenage years. Some estimates suggest that as many as 14% of American men will experience an eating disorder by age 40, and they may face a higher risk of death than women.

Muscle dysmorphia is a disorder that overwhelmingly affects men. It is characterized by an intense preoccupation with building muscle and often involves extreme dieting to achieve a perceived ideal physique.

At present, the diagnostic manual classifies muscle dysmorphia under obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, which can limit its recognition as an eating disorder and impede appropriate treatment pathways.

Dr. Jason Nagata, an associate professor of pediatrics at UCSF and an eating‑disorder hospitalist, recommends that the next edition of the DSM reclassify muscle dysmorphia as an eating disorder. He believes this change could lead to better diagnosis and more effective care for boys and men.