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Athletes
Athletes and dancers may face a greater risk for the development of an eating disorder.
The incidence of eating disorders among athletes continues to be on the rise especially
for those involved in sports that emphasize being thin. It is estimated that up
to 62 percent of females who participate in "appearance sports" such as gymnastics,
figure skating, dancing, and diving are suffering from an active eating disorder.
High incidence of eating disorders also occur in endurance sports that emphasize
low body weights such as running, cycling and cross country skiing; sports that
have weight classifications such as wrestling, horse racing and crew; and sports
were the clothing is revealing such as swimming, volleyball, track, cheerleading
and bodybuilding.
Many of the attributes that are part of the formula for a successful athlete may
predispose them to the development of an eating disorder. Athletes' personalities
tend towards being perfectionist, overachieving, competitive, compulsive and people
pleasing. These traits, when focused on the body can have devastating consequences.
Athletes and often their coaches are preoccupied with controlling body weight and
shape to enhance athletic performance. Weigh-ins and body fat analyses are often
a weekly occurrence. The worst part is that these activities are usually done in
a public setting with personal weights revealed to the entire team and staff. This
can cause embarrassment and foster competition among team members to obtain the
lowest weight through dangerous dieting methods. Teammates and coaches are significant
people in athletes' lives and can have an inordinate amount of influence. A recent
study reported that 75 percent of gymnasts who were counseled by their coach es
they needed to loose weight resorted to dangerous weight control measures.
Judges in sports where athletes are evaluated on technical and artistic forms have
admitted they consider thinness to be an important factor in deciding excellence
and have even told athletes they should loss weight to achieve their athletic goals.
This was the case with the elite gymnast Christy Henrich, who stated that a United
States gymnastic judge told her she was too fat and needed to lose weight if she
wanted to make the Olympic team. Christy felt this statement was the impetus for
her to severely restrict her food intake in order to make weight. At the age of
22, Christy Henrich died as a result of her eating disorder. When their bodies are
being constantly assessed personally and by coaches, judges and spectators, it is
understandable why so many athletes fall prey to disordered eating.
When athletes diet, they often go to extra ordinary lengths to reduce their percentage
of body fat. Severely restrictive dieting is the most common method, but many also
engage in the purging methods of vomiting, laxative abuse and diuretic abuse. Restricting
food intake can results in fatigue, dizziness, muscle wasting, stress fractures,
depleted food stores, weakness and fainting. Initially competitive performance may
be unaffected but ultimately the athlete's performance and health will significantly
decline. Because of the addictive nature of eating disorders, even though their
performance may be suffering, many eating disordered athletes find it difficult
to stop their disordered eating.
Long term and serious medical complications include cardiac problems and what is
known as the "Female Athlete Triad". The Triad refers to disordered eating, loss
of menses and osteoporosis. The resulting medical complications are often permanent
and irreversible. Bone loss starts as soon as six months from loss of menstruation.
A study found that anorexics were seven times as likely to develop stress fractures
as a result of their bone density loss. This not only has immediate consequences
on their performance but also long term consequences such as chronic joint problems
and increased risk of fractures for the rest of their lives.
Coaches, parents, teammates and friends need to be alert to the early signs of eating
disorders among athletes. Often, the eating disorder is well concealed, and the
symptoms are misinterpreted as athletic burn out. Any of the following warning signs
being present should be a cause for concern:
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Restrictive dieting
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Stating feeling fat despite being at weight or underweight
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Purging through vomiting, diuretics or laxatives
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Withdrawal from teammates
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Chronic fatigue
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Changing to mainly wearing sweats during workouts
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Excessive exercise outside of routine training periods
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Inability to complete workouts
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Avoiding dressing in front of teammates
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Avoiding eating in front of others
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Resistance to recommendation for weight gain
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Weight loss
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Loss of menses
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Loss of concentration
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Dehydration
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Pale dry skin
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Hyperactivity
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Gastrointestinal problems
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Frequent use of restrooms
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Cold Intolerance
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Changes in mood
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Isolation
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Depression
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Fainting
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Light-headedness
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Decreased stamina
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Because of the unique situation and influence of coaches, athletic trainers and
teammates, they can help prevent eating disorders among athletes. To accomplish
prevention, the following should be kept in mind:
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Recognize and educate athletes on the symptoms and warning signs of eating disorders.
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Educate athletes on the physical risks of maintaining a low body weight.
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Do not overplay the impact of weight on athletic performance.
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Promote total and healthy nutrition.
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Eliminate public weigh-ins and body-fat analyses.
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Provide a resource for emotional counseling.
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Eliminate ridiculing or flippant remarks about body shape or weight.
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Set realistic goals, taking into account the individual athlete's body type and
shape.
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Recognize when healthy training regimens turn into obsessive regimens.
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Encourage positive self-image and self-esteem.
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Participation in sports can have an extremely positive effect on the development
and maturing of an individual. It can promote the ability to work as a member of
a team, teach perseverance, and enhance goal attainment. With the right emphasis
coaches, athletic trainers and teammates can promote emotional as well as physical
health.
Rader Programs understands the special needs of an athlete with an eating disorder.
Through our treatment process we have helped many collegiate, Olympic and professional
athletes find recovery while at the same time meet their athletic goals.
For more information or to arrange for a free confidential consultation, call
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