Muscularity-Oriented Disordered Eating (MODE): A current perspective

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32870/jbf.v6i11.125

Keywords:

muscularity oriented disordered eating, eating disorders, muscle dysmorphia

Abstract

Muscularity-Oriented Disordered Eating (MODE) is defined as a set of eating behaviors whose main purpose is to increase muscle mass and reduce body fat, as the latter obstructs the visibility of muscles. This phenomenon has received increasing attention in recent years due to its high prevalence in adolescents and young adults. Consequently, this situation has prompted the study of various factors that influence its development, which has led to the conclusion that MODE is multifactorial in nature, resulting from a complex interaction between psychological, biological, and social components. Furthermore, because MODE differs from what is traditionally known as disordered eating, which is characterized by eating behaviors focused on weight loss, its classification as genuinely disordered poses a significant diagnostic challenge. This extends to understanding its possible clinical evolution, that is, whether it represents a subclinical manifestation of established Eating Disorders (ED) or whether it is more akin to a subtype of body dysmorphic disorder, such as muscle dysmorphia. Therefore, the objective of this perspective is to address this new variant of disordered eating through a comprehensive conceptual characterization. This analysis seeks to provide evidence to guide clinical and scientific discussion toward a more precise understanding of its classification, laying the foundation for the rigorous study of its evolutionary trajectory.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Luis Emilio Soto Maciel, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California

Estudiante de Maestría en Ciencias de la Nutrición, Facultad de Medicina y Nutrición, Mexicali, Baja California, México. Licenciatura en Nutrición (2017 - 2021), Universidad Xochicalco, Mexicali, Baja California, México.

Erika Saenz-Pardo-Reyes, Facultad de Medicina y Nutrición, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California

Full-time Professor-Researcher at the Faculty of Medicine, Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC). PhD in Behavioral Science with a specialization in Eating Behavior and Nutrition; MSc in Biotechnology; Specialist in Clinical Nutrition; Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition. Member of the National System of Researchers (SNI, Mexico), current distinction. Teaching experience at undergraduate and graduate levels in clinical nutrition, diet therapy, nutritional assessment, and research seminars. Research interests focused on eating behavior, clinical nutrition, and metabolic health, from a biopsychosocial perspective.

 

María del Rocío Padilla-Galindo, Instituto de Investigaciones en Comportamiento Alimentario y Nutrición, Universidad de Guadalajara, Mexico

Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition, University of Guadalajara Master’s and Doctoral Degree in Behavioral Science, Specialization in Eating Behavior and Nutrition, Member of the Mexican National System of Researchers (SNII)

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed).

Anderson, C., y Linardon, J. (2024). Body image facets as predictors of muscularity-oriented disordered eating in women: Findings from a prospective study. Body Image, 51, 101805. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2024.101805

Anderson, C., Messer, M., McClure, Z., Liu, C., y Linardon, J. (2024). Bidirectional relationships between muscularity-oriented disordered eating and mental health constructs: A prospective study. Eating Disorders, 32(5), 459-472. https://doi.org/10.1080/10640266.2024.2319947

Behar, R., y Arancibia, M. (2015). Body image disorders: Anorexia nervosa versus reverse anorexia (muscle dysmorphia). Revista Mexicana de Trastornos Alimentarios, 6(2), 121-128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmta.2015.10.005

Chaves, E., Jeffrey, D. T., y Williams, D. R. (2023). Disordered eating and eating disorders in pediatric obesity: Assessment and next steps. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(17), 6638. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20176638

Fries, J., y Sullivan, V. (2017). Eating Disorders in Special Populations: Medical, Nutritional, and Psychological Treatments (1st ed). CRC Press.

Ganson, K. T., y Nagata, J. M. (2024). Prevalence and correlates of appearance- and performance-enhancing drugs and substances use among a national sample of college students aged 18-30. Journal of American College Health, 72(5), 1336-1340. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2022.2076104

Ganson, K. T., Cunningham, M. L., Pila, E., Rodgers, R. F., Murray, S. B., y Nagata, J. M. (2022a). “Bulking and cutting” among a national sample of Canadian adolescents and young adults. Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity, 27(8), 3759-3765. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-022-01470-y

Ganson, K. T., Cunningham, M. L., Pila, E., Rodgers, R. F., Murray, S. B., y Nagata, J. M. (2022b). Characterizing cheat meals among a national sample of Canadian adolescents and young adults. Journal of Eating Disorders, 10(1), 113. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-022-00642-6

Ganson, K. T., Cunningham, M. L., Murray, S. B., y Nagata, J. M. (2022c). Use of appearance- and performance-enhancing drugs and substances is associated with eating disorder symptomatology among U.S. college students. Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity, 27(6), 2245-2250. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-022-01364-z

Griffiths, S., Murray, S., y Touyz, S. (2013). Toward a framework of muscularity-oriented disordered eating. Journal of Eating Disorders, 1(S1), O50. https://doi.org/10.1186/2050-2974-1-S1-O50

Halioua, R., Wyssen, A., Iff, S., Karrer, Y., Seifritz, E., Quednow, B. B., y Claussen, M. C. (2022). Association between muscle dysmorphia psychopathology and binge eating in a large at-risk cohort of men and women. Journal of Eating Disorders, 10(1), 109. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-022-00632-8

Horwitz, H., Andersen, J. T., y Dalhoff, K. P. (2019). Health consequences of androgenic anabolic steroid use. Journal of Internal Medicine, 285(3), 333-340. https://doi.org/10.1111/joim.12850

Lavender, J. M., Brown, T. A., y Murray, S. B. (2017). Men, muscles, and eating disorders: An overview of traditional and muscularity-oriented disordered eating. Current Psychiatry Reports, 19(6), 32. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-017-0787-5

López-Gil, J. F., García-Hermoso, A., Smith, L., Firth, J., Trott, M., Mesas, A. E., Jiménez-López, E., Gutiérrez-Espinoza, H., Tárraga-López, P. J., y Victoria-Montesinos, D. (2023). Global proportion of disordered eating in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatrics, 177(4), 363. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2022.5848

Messer, M., McClure, Z., Norton, B., Smart, M., y Linardon, J. (2021). Using an app to count calories: Motives, perceptions, and connections to thinness- and muscularity-oriented disordered eating. Eating Behaviors, 43, 101568. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2021.101568

Messer, M., Duxson, S., Diluvio, P., McClure, Z., y Linardon, J. (2023). The independent contribution of muscularity-oriented disordered eating to functional impairment and emotional distress in adult men and women. Eating Disorders, 31(2), 161-172. https://doi.org/10.1080/10640266.2022.2086728

Murray, S. B., Rieger, E., Touyz, S. W., y De La Garza García, Lic, Y. (2010). Muscle dysmorphia and the DSM-V conundrum: Where does it belong? A review paper. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 43(6), 483-491. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.20828

Murray, S. B., Rieger, E., Hildebrandt, T., Karlov, L., Russell, J., Boon, E., Dawson, R. T., y Touyz, S. W. (2012). A comparison of eating, exercise, shape, and weight related symptomatology in males with muscle dysmorphia and anorexia nervosa. Body Image, 9(2), 193-200. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2012.01.008

Murray, S. B., Griffiths, S., Hazery, L., Shen, T., Wooldridge, T., y Mond, J. M. (2016a). Go big or go home: A thematic content analysis of pro-muscularity websites. Body Image, 16, 17-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2015.10.002

Murray, S. B., Griffiths, S., y Mond, J. M. (2016b). Evolving eating disorder psychopathology: Conceptualising muscularity-oriented disordered eating. British Journal of Psychiatry, 208(5), 414-415. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.115.168427

Murray, S. B., Griffiths, S., Mond, J. M., Kean, J., y Blashill, A. J. (2016c). Anabolic steroid use and body image psychopathology in men: Delineating between appearance- versus performance-driven motivations. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 165, 198-202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.06.008

Murray, S. B., Nagata, J. M., Griffiths, S., Calzo, J. P., Brown, T. A., Mitchison, D., Blashill, A. J., y Mond, J. M. (2017). The enigma of male eating disorders: A critical review and synthesis. Clinical Psychology Review, 57, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2017.08.001

Murray, S. B., Accurso, E. C., Griffiths, S., y Nagata, J. M. (2018a). Boys, biceps, and bradycardia: The hidden dangers of muscularity-oriented disordered eating. Journal of Adolescent Health, 62(3), 352-355. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2017.09.025

Murray, S. B., Pila, E., Mond, J. M., Mitchison, D., Blashill, A. J., Sabiston, C. M., y Griffiths, S. (2018b). Cheat meals: A benign or ominous variant of binge eating behavior? Appetite, 130, 274–278. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2018.08.026

Murray, S. B., Brown, T. A., Blashill, A. J., Compte, E. J., Lavender, J. M., Mitchison, D., Mond, J. M., Keel, P. K., y Nagata, J. M. (2019). The development and validation of the muscularity-oriented eating test: A novel measure of muscularity-oriented disordered eating. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 52(12), 1389-1398. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.23144

Nagata, J. M., Murray, S. B., Bibbins-Domingo, K., Garber, A. K., Mitchison, D., y Griffiths, S. (2019). Predictors of muscularity-oriented disordered eating behaviors in U.S. young adults: A prospective cohort study. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 52(12), 1380–1388. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.23094

Nagata, J. M., Brown, T. A., Murray, S. B., y Lavender, J. M. (Eds.). (2021). Eating Disorders in Boys and Men. Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-67127-3

Nagata, J. M., Ganson, K. T., Griffiths, S., Mitchison, D., Garber, A. K., Vittinghoff, E., Bibbins-Domingo, K., y Murray, S. B. (2022a). Prevalence and correlates of muscle-enhancing behaviors among adolescents and young adults in the United States. International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health, 34(2), 119-129. https://doi.org/10.1515/ijamh-2020-0001

Nagata, J. M., McGuire, F. H., Lavender, J. M., Brown, T. A., Murray, S. B., Compte, E. J., Cattle, C. J., Flentje, A., Lubensky, M. E., Obedin-Maliver, J., y Lunn, M. R. (2022b). Appearance and performance-enhancing drugs and supplements (APEDS): Lifetime use and associations with eating disorder and muscle dysmorphia symptoms among cisgender sexual minority people. Eating Behaviors, 44, 101595. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2022.101595

Nagata, J. M., Hazzard, V. M., Ganson, K. T., Hahn, S. L., Neumark-Sztainer, D., y Eisenberg, M. E. (2022c). Digital technology use and muscle-building behaviors in young adults. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 55(2), 207-214. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.23656

Palmeros-Exsome, C., González-Chávez, G. D. C., León-Díaz, R., Carmona-Figueroa, Y. P., Campos-Uscanga, Y., Barranca-Enríquez, A., y Romo-Gonzalez, T. (2022). Conductas alimentarias de riesgo y satisfacción corporal en estudiantes universitarios mexicanos: Conductas alimentarias de riesgo en estudiantes mexicanos. Revista Española de Nutrición Humana y Dietética, 26(2), 95-103. https://doi.org/10.14306/renhyd.26.2.1484

Pila, E., Mond, J. M., Griffiths, S., Mitchison, D., y Murray, S. B. (2017). A thematic content analysis of #cheatmeal images on social media: Characterizing an emerging dietary trend. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 50(6), 698–706. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.22671

Pope, H. G., Katz, D. L., y Hudson, J. I. (1993). Anorexia nervosa and “reverse anorexia” among 108 male bodybuilders. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 34(6), 406-409. https://doi.org/10.1016/0010-440X(93)90066-D

Pope, H. G., Gruber, A. J., Choi, P., Olivardia, R., y Phillips, K. A. (1997). Muscle dysmorphia: An underrecognized form of body dysmorphic disorder. Psychosomatics, 38(6), 548-557. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0033-3182(97)71400-2

Ramírez Díaz, M. D. P., Luna Hernández, J. F., y Velázquez Ramírez, D. D. (2020). Conductas Alimentarias de Riesgo y su asociación con el exceso de peso en adolescentes del Istmo de Tehuantepec, Oaxaca: Un estudio transversal. Revista Española de Nutrición Humana y Dietética, 25(2), 246-255. https://doi.org/10.14306/renhyd.25.2.1170

Roberts, S. R., Gorrell, S., y Le Grange, D. (2024). Body image during puberty: What happens to how kids feel about their bodies? Frontiers for Young Minds, 12, 1178387. https://doi.org/10.3389/frym.2024.1178387

Štefanová, E., Bakalár, P., y Baška, T. (2020). Eating-disordered behavior in adolescents: Associations with body image, body composition and physical activity. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(18), 6665. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17186665

Strübel, J., y Petrie, T. A. (2019). Appearance and performance enhancing drug usage and psychological well-being in gay and heterosexual men. Psychology & Sexuality, 10(2), 132-148. https://doi.org/10.1080/19419899.2019.1574879

Suarez-Albor, C. L., Galletta, M., y Gómez-Bustamante, E. M. (2022). Factors associated with eating disorders in adolescents: A systematic review. Acta Biomedica Atenei Parmensis, 93(3), e2022253. https://doi.org/10.23750/abm.v93i3.13140

Tsang, J. H., Poon, E. T.-C., Trexler, E. T., Wong, S. H.-S., Zheng, C., y Sun, F. (2025). The role of cheat meals in dieting: A scoping review of physiological and psychological responses. Nutrition Reviews, 83(11), 2240-2252. https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuaf077

Uchôa, F., Uchôa, N., Daniele, T., Lustosa, R., Garrido, N., Deana, N., Aranha, A., y Alves, N. (2019). Influence of the mass media and body dissatisfaction on the risk in adolescents of developing eating disorders. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(9), 1508. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16091508

Villalobos-Hernández, A., Bojórquez-Chapela, I., Hernández-Serrato, M. I., y Unikel-Santoncini, C. (2023). Prevalencia de conductas alimentarias de riesgo en adolescentes mexicanos: Ensanut Continua 2022. Salud Pública de México, 65, s96–s101. https://doi.org/10.21149/14800

Wilksch, S. M., O’Shea, A., Ho, P., Byrne, S., y Wade, T. D. (2020). The relationship between social media use and disordered eating in young adolescents. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 53(1), 96-106. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.23198

Zhang, J., Wang, Y., Li, Q., y Wu, C. (2021). The relationship between SNS usage and disordered eating behaviors: A meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 641919. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.641919

Zhu, L. Y., Breddy, T. N., Sahlan, R. N., Blomquist, K. K., y Bodell, L. P. (2025). Beyond thinness: The contribution of muscularity-oriented disordered eating to clinical impairment across cultures. Eating Behaviors, 57, 101973. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2025.101973

Published

2026-07-29

How to Cite

Soto Maciel, Luis Emilio, Erika Saenz-Pardo-Reyes, and María del Rocío Padilla-Galindo. 2026. “Muscularity-Oriented Disordered Eating (MODE): A Current Perspective”. Journal of Behavior and Feeding 6 (11):4-11. https://doi.org/10.32870/jbf.v6i11.125.

Most read articles by the same author(s)