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Athletes and Eating Disorders
Sports associated with eating disorders
Eating disorders and disordered eating are significant problems for many athletes
Female athletes are especially at risk in sports which emphasize a thin body or appearance, such as gymnastics, ballet, figure skating, swimming, and distance running
Male athletes are especially at risk in body building and wrestling
A greater risk is associated with sports in which anaerobic activities predominate over aerobic activities
Gender and eating disorders among athletes
90-95% of eating disorders occur among women
There is evidence, however, that male athletes are at least equally at risk as female athletes for certain types of eating pathology
A study of NCAA athletes found that binge eating occurred more often in male athletes than in female athletes
More than three times as many male athletes as female athletes used saunas or steam baths to lose weight
The same percentage of males and females used steroids to improve athletic performance
Female athletes were four times more likely than males to use vomiting to lose weight
Causes of eating disorders among athletes
The idealization of thinness in our society
Judges in gymnastics and figure skating have progressively rewarded thinner athletes
The unsubstantiated belief that lower body fat enhances performance
Preselection
Individuals who are preoccupied with weight and appearance may be more likely to participate in athletics
Exercise
Animal studies have shown that a dramatic increase in activity can precipitate a decrease in appetite and severe weight loss
Body dissatisfaction
Athletes at risk for eating disorders are often those who are particularly anxious and critical of their own athletic performance and who express these concerns by dissatisfaction with their bodies
Effects of eating disorders in athletes
Eating disorders may result in symptoms which interfere with athletic performance
Fatigue, weakness, lightheadedness, broken bones, leg cramps, and irregular heart rate are among the symptoms which may impair athletic capacity
These symptoms are the result of various physiological complications of eating disorders, including low thyroid hormones, poor heart and circulatory function, osteoporosis, and electrolyte imbalance
The Female Athlete Triad
The triad of amenorrhea, disordered eating, and osteoporosis (brittle bones) is particularly likely to occur in female athletes
Amenorrhea or irregular menses in female athletes should be taken seriously because even brief episodes are associated with osteoporosis and infertility problems
Multiple factors cause the amenorrhea seen in female athletes, including exercise, low weight, low fat content, stress, hormonal changes, and nutritional composition
Estrogen supplementation, without weight gain, does not seem to reverse the vulnerability to osteoporosis
Detection and treatment
Athletes are often aware of the symptoms of eating disorders, but do not want to acknowledge the symptoms for fear that they will be required to stop their sport
Except in extreme cases, the athlete can continue the sport while in treatment
The American College of Sports Medicine has encouraged all individuals working with physically active girls and women to be educated about the triad of amenorrhea, disordered eating, and osteoporosis, and to develop plans to prevent, recognize, treat, and reduce its risks
Coaches and team physicians are often in a position to identify an eating disorder early and assist the athlete in seeking appropriate treatment
A set of guidelines for coaches, titled "10 Things Coaches can do to help prevent eating disorders in their athletes," is included in the NEDSP screening kit
Approximate Word count = 551
Approximate Pages = 2.2
(250 words per page double spaced)
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