Different, no. With peculiarities, yes. The triggers we can find if we explore what happened are not very different between the two sexes. Boys with eating disorders have been found to have a higher baseline weight compared to girls; it is also especially common to find a history of bullying and doubts about sexual orientation . Thus, all of these can be precipitating factors for an eating problem in males. The underlying conflicts and fears, apart from this, are similar in both sexes and common to adolescence in a broader sense.

The physical manifestations are also similar, but in boys, if they lose weight, the hormonal imbalance manifests differently: androgen levels decrease, which is why pubic and body hair is reduced, approaching the female pattern, and at the same time, sex drive decreases. Weight gain, on the other hand, causes medium- and long-term problems that are no less significant; these include obesity, joint strain, diabetes, and cardiovascular problems. Binge eating and vomiting themselves also contribute to acid reflux, indigestion, and bowel irregularities, both diarrhea and constipation.

The ideal body that men aspire to also differs from that of women, which can add to any pre-existing insecurities and concerns about sexuality. These aspects will need to be addressed in therapy.