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Eating Disorders and Female Athletes

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Eating Disorders and Female Athletes

"Many of the qualities that coaches admire in their female
athletes have an eating disorder counterpart."

It has long been recognized that some activities can increase the risk of developing an eating disorder. For example, typically female pursuits such as modeling, dance, or drama, in which appearance, especially a thin appearance, is strongly emphasized can increase the risk of developing an eating disorder.

This has also found to be true for sports. Sports such as gymnastics and figure skating, in which achieving excellence is based in part in how judges perceive one's appearance, seem to increase the risk of developing an eating disorder. Distance running has a subculture that emphasizes thinness as a means of excellence also increases the risk.

Many of the qualities that coaches admire in their athletes have an eating disorder counterpart. Athletes who are committed to training, are easily coached, and are dedicated to being excellent are lauded as examples to their teammates. These same qualities are often found in eating disorders patients, although with perhaps a different label, e.g. excessive exercise, perfectionistic, or overly compliant. Because of this kind of overlap it can be difficult to determine whether an extremely dedicated athlete is actually suffering from an eating disorder.

Eating Disorders Among Female Athletes Participating in Sports That Do Not Emphasize a Thin Appearance

A newer development has been the apparent increase in prevalence of eating disorders in sports that do not appear to emphasize a thin appearance. Female athletes who compete at the highest levels of their sports are increasingly training and playing virtually year round and are expected to build muscle mass and stamina by off season training. The result of almost continuous training is to increase body size while also improving physical performance. Unfortunately, for most young women this also means making their bodies depart from the culturally desirable body frame. This can increase body dissatisfaction, leading the person to pursue unhealthy weight control practices.

If you suspect that you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, contact one of our eating disorder specialists for help.