Stigma Experience of Men with Eating Disorders: A Scoping Review

This scoping review aimed to synthesise the literature concerning the stigma experiences of men with eating disorders. Seven databases were searched using relevant keywords and subject headings. Following deduplication, articles published since 2000 were screened against eligibility criteria. Key information was charted and analysed using descriptive statistics and deductive content analysis. The final sample (n=9) was synthesised under four categories of stigma experiences within the Health Stigma and Discrimination Framework. Internalised stigma was the most prevalent stigma experience across the included studies. This review suggests that men with eating disorders experience stigma in many forms and across various contexts, including healthcare services, workplaces, and their personal lives. Furthermore, stigmatisation has numerous negative implications for men with eating disorders, affecting their help-seeking behaviours, diagnosis, interactions with healthcare providers, treatment engagement, and recovery outcomes. The evidence synthesised suggests that male-friendly health services and policies, training for health professionals on the distinct barriers faced by men with eating disorders, and public anti-stigma campaigns could enhance understanding and improve health outcomes. Further exploration of male eating disorder-related stigma experiences, including larger quantitative studies, is needed to decipher the unique contribution of stigma experiences on prevention and recovery outcomes of male eating disorders.