One in 10 people who contact eating disorder charity Bodywhys is a man or the loved one of a man struggling with an eating disorder.
In an effort to meet this increasing demand, the organisation is a setting up a men's-only support group next month.
In 2019, Bodywhys supported over 4,000 and that figure has now jumped up to 9,000.
The Oireachtas mental health committee has heard that eating disorders now have the highest mortality rate of all mental illnesses
The average age of onset of an eating disorder is 15.
Psychotherapist Stella O'Malley says many teenage boys develop body issues after they become interested in a healthy lifestyle trends:
"At the start it's all about health, and it's all trying to look good, and everyone is just nodding along, thinking that it's nice that they're so interested in it.
"Then the family and friends say 'wow, this has gone way beyond help and it's much darker' - and often times it is.
"It's a horrible place to be".
Bodywhys can be contacted on their national helpline on 01 210 7906
