Hurdles in the Athletic World: Eating Disorders

A thin athlete is preferred in certain sports, and this is one reason for the higher rates of eating disorders in these sports. Sports like gymnastics, distance running, distance skiing, swimming, figure skating, dancing, horse racing, rowing, wrestling and cheerleading have staggeringly high rates of eating disorders. Male sports that ranked the highest at risk for eating disorders are wrestling and cross-country running, so, as with all eating disorders, males are not immune.

Females are more at risk, however, because they face more risk factors then guys. The western culture idolizes thin females, and when that is combined with the pressure to be thin for a sport, the reasons more girls succumb to an eating disorder are apparent. The western appearance for an ideal male is someone with a tall muscular build. Thinness in males is seen as lack of muscle, which is associated with weakness. Therefore males are facing contradicting pressures, whereas the pressure for female athletes can be the same. These pressures can then build on one another.

The desire to please coaches and judges also adds to the pressure. Judges that evaluate artistic merit, as is the case for gymnastics, or synchronized swimming, often associate being thin with higher scores. Being thin has become more and more sought after, and in recent decades the average weight for female athletes has dropped significantly.

Since an athlete has to tax their body for their sport, an eating disorder will put an athlete at risk for cardiac failure. Athletes with eating disorders have been shown to miss more practices and competitions due to injuries associated with eating disorders. Stress fractures in the leg are a common reason for female athletes with eating disorders to miss practice, as the body becomes weakened when you do not eat. Remember, fat is not the only thing we get from foods. The nutrients found in our food are absolutely necessary for athletic competition.

If you or an athlete you know is suffering from an eating disorder or concerned about local judging being too strict about body weight, seek help from a professional. Teens are especially at risk, and losing too much weight can cause health problems that last well into adulthood. Stay safe and healthy by eating a good diet every day and learning how to exercise correctly to achieve the body proportions you want. Looking healthy is the ultimate goal-not looking thin.

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