Certain careers, like modeling, dance and acting, tend to have a higher rate of eating disorders among these professionals than most other careers. This is because the focus on physical appearance and body shape is constant.
Did you know that athletes also experience this same pressure? Because of the way certain sports require certain physical prowess, and nutrition is so strict for many athletes, it is no surprise that many athletes, both pro and recreational, find themselves battling disordered eating habits.
Why are athletes at a higher risk for eating disorders?
One of the primary reasons athletes are at a high risk for eating disorders is the immense pressure to perform at elite levels. The competitive nature of sports often demands that athletes maintain a specific body weight or appearance to keep them performing at a superior level.
This pressure is particularly pronounced in sports that emphasize aesthetics or weight categories, such as gymnastics, figure skating, wrestling and long-distance running. Athletes in these disciplines may adopt unhealthy eating habits in an attempt to meet the perceived ideal body type, which can lead to the development of eating disorders.
Culture around sports also plays a significant role in the prevalence of eating disorders among athletes. Media portrayal of athletes often focuses on their physical appearance, reinforcing unrealistic body standards by emphasizing thinness and leanness. This can contribute to body dissatisfaction and a distorted body image among athletes. Moreover, the influence of coaches, peers and even fans can add to these pressures, as athletes may feel compelled to conform to said expectations and judgments.
Not to be forgotten are the psychological influences that play a part in eating disorder development. Traits such as perfectionism, high achievement orientation and a desire for control are common among athletes and can predispose them to disordered eating behaviors. The psychological stress associated with competition, performance anxiety and fear of failure can also play a part. Athletes may turn to eating disorders as a coping mechanism to gain a sense of control over their bodies and their sport.
The culture of sports itself can contribute to the development of eating disorders. Training programs with a focus on weight loss, restricted eating or extreme dieting can normalize unhealthy behaviors. Additionally, the normalization of these practices within certain sports communities can create an environment where disordered eating is overlooked or even encouraged.
What sports see the highest level of eating disorders?
Based on the expectations of and requirements for their sport, some athletes are at a higher risk of developing an eating disorder than others.
Aesthetic sports
Aesthetic sports, where athletes’ physical appearance and presentation play a key part in performance evaluation, have been consistently linked with higher rates of eating disorders.
Sports such as gymnastics, figure skating and ballet demand athletes to maintain a particular body shape and weight, often leading to unhealthy eating behaviors. The emphasis on leanness and the pressure to meet specific aesthetic criteria can lead athletes to engage in restrictive dieting, excessive exercise and other harmful practices.
Endurance sports
Endurance sports like long-distance running, cycling and swimming, also see a significant prevalence of eating disorders. In these sports, a lower body weight is often perceived as advantageous for enhancing performance and endurance. This can drive athletes to adopt extreme dieting practices, sometimes resulting in conditions like anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. The culture of extreme competitiveness and the desire to optimize performance can also worsen these tendencies.
Weight class sports
Athletes participating in weight-class sports, including wrestling, boxing, and martial arts, are often subject to weight cycling — the rapid gain and loss of weight to qualify for specific weight categories. This practice is not only physically taxing, but also increases the risk of developing eating disorders.
Such athletes may resort to dangerous methods like fasting, dehydration, or purging to meet weight requirements, putting their physical and mental health at significant risk.
Mixed gender sports
Sports that are traditionally male-dominated but have female categories, such as rowing and horse racing, also experience eating disorder issues, particularly among female athletes. The pressure to compete on par with male counterparts in terms of strength and speed can lead to unhealthy eating habits as athletes strive to maintain a lower weight to enhance their performance metrics.
Bodybuilding and fitness competitions
In bodybuilding and fitness competitions, the focus is achieving a highly muscular and lean physique, often at the cost of the competitor’s health. The drive to reach low body fat percentages can lead to severe caloric restriction and disordered eating behaviors.
The pressure to adhere to strict diet regimens and the judgment and ranking experienced during competition can exacerbate the risk of developing eating disorders among competitors. The intense focus on body image and the cyclical nature of bulking and cutting phases do little to benefit one’s relationships with food and body perception.
What can be done?
The prevalence of eating disorders in these sports not only jeopardizes athletes’ physical health — they often suffer malnutrition, weakened immune systems and bone density loss — but also severely impacts their mental health. Depression, anxiety and low self-esteem are common among athletes struggling with eating disorders. Furthermore, the pressure to perform while managing an eating disorder can lead to burnout and decreased athletic performance, ultimately affecting their careers.
To combat the rise of eating disorders in sports, several measures can be taken. Sports organizations and coaches need to prioritize athletes’ health over performance by fostering supportive environments that emphasize well-being and balanced nutrition. Educating athletes, coaches, and parents about the signs of eating disorders and the importance of mental health can also play a crucial role in prevention.
Moreover, implementing regular screenings and providing access to mental health professionals can help in early identification and intervention for athletes at risk. Encouraging open conversations about body image and reducing the stigma surrounding eating disorders can create a more inclusive and supportive athletic community.
Want to get involved?
Whether you’re looking for support for yourself, or you have a loved one who is in need of eating disorder treatment, help is available. Contact Seeds of Hope anytime by calling (610) 268-9245 or fill out an online contact form to get started today.
