ABSTRACT
Men continue to be underrepresented in eating disorder (ED) research and, consequently, our knowledge about these pernicious conditions among males has largely been extrapolated from research on EDs among females. However, important sex differences exist in the idealized appearance that may give rise to distinct ED pathology. For instance, men often possess a drive to attain an increasingly muscular physique compared to one primarily characterized by thinness, which is often found among women. Regrettably, many well-known ED treatment protocols are geared toward addressing the pursuit of thinness as opposed to muscularity. This chapter discusses ways in which existing ED assessment and treatment protocols may need to be modified to address the pursuit of muscularity, and related eating psychopathology, among men. First, we highlight that treatment protocols need to recognize the overvalued muscular appearance common among men and have an appreciation of the unique array of ED pathologies this may precipitate. Relatedly, we underscore issues with existing and widely used ED assessment and treatment tools in indexing this pathology. This chapter closes by advocating important directions for future research, highlighting, in particular, that the emerging knowledge of muscular-oriented disordered eating necessitates careful thought about how to optimally incorporate its assessment into ED assessment and treatment tools.
