Men, Muscle, and Mental Health: An International Men’s Day Event

International Men’s Day celebrates men and boys and their diversity, while also drawing attention to the key health and well-being challenges they may face. One growing—but often overlooked—issue is the rise in body image concerns among men (particularly those related to muscle-building) along with an increase in disordered eating/eating disorders. Despite research showing a sharp rise in these issues, men remain underrepresented in both academic studies and mental health support services.

It’s important to recognise that eating disorders and body image concerns can affect people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds—including those who, by societal expectations, may appear extremely fit or ‘healthy’. With the rise of social media and the popularity of online fitness communities, individuals are now exposed to new and often intense pressures to meet idealised body standards. As a result, more men than ever before are striving for a lean and muscular physique.

This International Men’s Day event, led by researchers at the University of Worcester in collaboration with First Steps ED, aims to raise awareness of the growing social impact of body image-related issues and the influence these concerns can have on men’s mental and physical well-being.

The event will feature talks and discussions on two key topics: What We Know About Men’s Muscle-Oriented Body Image and Eating Concerns (with Dr Christian Edwards), and How We Can/How to Support Men Struggling With These Issues (with George Mycock and William Colgrave). The event also includes a showing of Chasing Adonis (a short film that explores Muscle Dysmorphia and men’s mental health), followed by a Q&A with the film's producer (Dom Bolton), director (Tom Gordon), writer and lead actor (Micky David), and men with lived experience of body image and eating disorders.

Through open conversation, expert insights, and research-informed perspectives, this event hopes to challenge stigma, foster understanding, and highlight ways to better support men living with body image and eating concerns.

Who is this event for?

This event is open to the public, those working in schools and healthcare settings, sport and exercise professionals, public health representatives, and students. The event is restricted to those over the age of 18 years.

Sensitive content warning

This event will address sensitive topics related to body image and eating disorders in men and boys. Discussions will include personal reflections on experiences with disordered eating and body image concerns. Within this event, there will be conversations and/or depictions (in film) of eating disorders/disordered eating, exercise addiction, mental illness, anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicide.

Event Overview

18.00-18.15 – Arrival and Event registration

18.30 - Event opening. Men, mental health and the Inclusive Sport and Physical Activity Research Group.

18.40 - What we know about men’s muscle-oriented body image and eating concerns.

19.00 – Watch Chasing Adonis

19.15 - Discussion and questions

19.30 - Break and extended discussions

19.45 - Men seeking support – How can we better support men experiencing these issues?

20.00- Professional support and signposting.

20.15- Questions

20.30- Event close

Speakers*

Dr Christian Edwards is a Principal Lecturer at the University of Worcester, where he leads the ‘Gender, Identity, and the Body’ theme of the Inclusive Sport and Physical Activity Research Group. The primary focus of his research is on the antecedents and consequences of muscularity-oriented body image and related preoccupations. His published work can be viewed here. https://eprints.worc.ac.uk/view/author/Edwards=3AChristian=3A=3A.html

George Mycock is a PhD candidate at the University of Worcester, investigating men's access to care for eating, exercise, and body image concerns (https://eprints.worc.ac.uk/view/author/Mycock=3AGeorge=3A=3A.html). George is also the Founder of the mental health organisation MyoMinds (https://myominds.com/)

William Colgrave is a trainee CBT therapist and eating disorder specialist at First Steps ED. Will has lived experience of bulimia nervosa and is committed to advancing research and practice around eating disorders.

Dom Bolton (see Firework Productions)

Micky David (see Firework Productions)

Tom Gordon (see Firework Productions)

* The organisers reserve the right to amend the list of speakers as necessary.

For any questions please contact Dr Chrisitan Edwards on c.edwards@worc.ac.uk

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