Call for action – how should we destigmatise eating disorders in the media?
- Written by: Tommy Kelly — See Me — See Me Champion
- Published: 12th May 2022
See Me Champion, Tommy Kelly, talks about eating disorder stigma in the media. Please be aware this piece will touch on emotive topics.
As a man who has suffered an eating disorder of 20 years, I believe the media doesn’t help the stigma that surrounds eating disorders. They highlight women mostly, and very rarely men, and often when they do feature men it’s focusing on exercise addiction, with no context that it’s part of the illness. They often use shock tactics like focusing on low bodyweight of females and on the food intake instead of the issues going on in people’s heads and the trauma that caused the eating disorder.
The idea is portrayed that men have eating disorders as almost a choice and life decision gone wrong, when that’s completely wrong. For many, we have a genetic predisposition and something in life triggers this, and you use food as a coping mechanism to feel in control as your life is out of control.
The media needs more education around men in general in regards to how eating disorders don’t really have any dissimilarities between men and women. They are mental illnesses with physical symptoms and the split between male and female sufferers is far more 50/50 than statistics of 1 in 4 male sufferers would have you believe. This is simply because men don’t come forward due to this stigma.
I think going forward the media needs to highlight all body shapes who experience eating disorders and not perpetuate this thin and frail look, as people can look healthy, yet be suffering the most in their heads. There should be both female and male representation to highlight how it doesn’t discriminate against anyone regardless of sex, social economic status, religion or colour.
End of page.
End of page.
You may also like:
Find out more about the inaugural Power of Attorney Day taking place on 22 April 2026.
Continue readingDr Hannah Tweed reflects on 20 years of the Scottish Sensory Hub, the important work they do and why it matters.
Continue readingAs part of our 20 year anniversary, Kerry shares her reflections on how far the ALLIANCE has come, our achievements, and our impact.
Continue readingIn her latest TFN column, our Chief Officer Sara Redmond reflects on 20 years since Scotland moved to put children at the centre of policy.
Continue readingCancer care in Scotland is at a critical moment. Macmillan is calling for urgent action ahead of the parliamentary elections in May
Continue readingMhairi Campbell reflects on Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) not being recognised as having a severe impact on life.
Continue readingLucy Mulvagh shares how she used the Centre for Public Policy Practice Fellowship to examine prevention and its barriers to implementation
Continue readingLaura from Perth and Kinross HSCP shares how we can celebrate World Social Work Day through the lens of 'What Matters To You?'.
Continue readingReflections on the Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education) Bill
Continue readingLouise Hall from Pain Association Scotland reflects on the event she delivered as part of Self Management Week 2025.
Continue readingAct Now for Autistic Rights calls for a transformative Bill for autistic and neurodiverse communities
Continue readingIn the next decade, the role of digital in health and social care must embed our digital human rights principles to reduce inequalities.
Continue readingRead some reflections from ALLIANCE colleagues, who had the opportunity to sponsor and attend Scotland's Annual Human Rights Conference.
Continue reading“Our Collective Voice” is a hopeful vision for the next five years, and I encourage ALLIANCE members to bring it into their own campaigns.
Continue readingBy standing together, we can help ensure that everyone in Scotland has access to the compassionate, high quality palliative care.
Continue readingALLIANCE Scottish Sensory Hub Manager Dr Hannah Tweed reflects on the launch of the BSL network for public bodies.
Continue readingSimone Janse van Rensburg reflects on the impact of their Women Living Well event which featured as part of Self Management Week 2025.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE’s Women’s Health Lived Experience Group reflect on their input to Phase 2 of the Scottish Government’s Women’s Health Plan.
Continue readingWellbeing Scotland’s Chief Clinical Officer Ashleigh Ronald highlights why we must shift stigmatising narratives around child abuse.
Continue readingAs we mark twenty years of the ALLIANCE, Person Centred Voices continues to show the power of listening, kindness and connection.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE’s Women’s Health Lived Experience Group reflect on their input to Phase 2 of the Scottish Government’s Women’s Health Plan.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE’s Women’s Health Lived Experience Group reflect on their input to Phase 2 of the Scottish Government’s Women’s Health Plan.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE’s Women’s Health Lived Experience Group reflect on their input to Phase 2 of the Scottish Government’s Women’s Health Plan.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE’s Women’s Health Lived Experience Group reflect on their input to Phase 2 of the Scottish Government’s Women’s Health Plan.
Continue readingIn her latest TFN column, our Chief Officer Sara Redmond marks 20 years of the ALLIANCE and looks ahead to a future built on hope.
Continue reading