In the athletic world, athletes are often brought to push their physical and mental limits in order to achieve peak performance. Consequently, this environment can place athletes at higher risk for disordered eating, sometimes masking the problem as “dedication” or “discipline.” Understanding the intersection of sports culture and eating disorders is crucial for creating healthier, more supportive environments where athletes can thrive without compromising their physical or mental health.
Athletes and Eating Disorders: A Hidden Struggle
Eating disorders are complex and can affect anyone, regardless of whether they are an athlete or not. Risk factors include genetic predispositions, temperament, stress, trauma, cultural influences, effects of media, and more. Nonetheless, athletes face additional risk factors unique to participating in competitions or performances such as:
- Coach-athlete relationship
- Team dynamics
- Over evaluation of body related to sport
- Seasonal status
- Performance level
- Injuries (leading to interruption of training and competition)
- Overtraining
- Weight cycling
The sport an athlete participates in also affects their risk of developing an eating disorder. Sports that are linked to a higher risk include: aesthetic sports (figure skating, gymnastics, diving), endurance sports (running, Nordic skiing, and swimming), power-to-weight sports (cycling and climbing), anti-gravity sports (ski jumping), weight-class sports (wrestling, rowing, and judo), and high-intensity sports (alpine skiing and martial arts).
In fact, in weight category sports, an athlete’s weight determines the category in which they compete, which in turn impacts their likelihood of winning and leads to harmful strategies to manipulate body weight. In aesthetic sports on the other hand, a large focus is placed on an athlete’s appearance as they are being judged objectively and are receiving points based on the aesthetic quality of their performance.
Parents and coaches may feel like they can determine whether someone is struggling with an eating disorder by looking at their physical appearance. However, eating disorders can hide in plain sight and body shape is not necessarily an indication of psychological and medical health. Athletes can experience a variety of eating disorders. To learn more about the different eating disorder presentations and their symptoms, please refer to this page on our website.
Note on RED-S
RED-S, which stands for Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport, refers to the imbalance between an athlete’s energy intake (diet) and the energy they expend through exercise and daily activities. This syndrome affects metabolic rate, bone health, immunity, protein synthesis, cardiovascular, reproductive, and psychological health of athletes. RED-S may involve psychological distress but is not limited to or defined by it. To read more about this topic and taking care of yourself as an athlete, you may refer to our prior blog post here.
From Performance to Health: Consequences of Eating Disorders in Athletes
Often, athletes initially engage in disordered eating as a tool to enhance performance, unaware of the impact and potential long-term consequences of these behaviors. In fact, malnutrition, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances can impair both physical performance and cognitive function and place them at higher risk for:
- Injuries: Calcium and nutrient deficiencies can lead to decreased bone density, increasing the risk of stress fractures and other injuries.
- Heart problems: Starvation, purging, and dehydration can result in serious heart complications.
- Mental health issues: Athletes who struggle with eating disorders are often at higher risk for anxiety, depression, and burnout.
In extreme cases, eating disorders can be life-threatening. If you wish to deepen your knowledge on the consequences of eating disorders, stay tuned for our blogs touching on the subject: The Consequences of Anorexia and Lost Your Period and Think It’s Great: Think Again.
Recognizing and Addressing Eating Disorders in Sports
Eating disorders can sometimes be difficult to recognize, particularly in athletes who are already used to intense discipline and constant scrutiny of their bodies. However, identifying signs and symptoms early on is crucial. Early detection can lead to faster recovery and better long-term health outcomes. Below are the key signs and symptoms to be on the lookout for:
- Change in attitude or behavior, withdrawn
- Mood changes – appears sad/anxious/depressed, easily irritable
- Rigid or obsessive thoughts about food, eating, and/or exercise
- Refusal or inability to acknowledge recent changes in behavior or appearance
- Sudden weight change and/or weight fluctuation in a short period
- Physical complaints – abdominal pain, bloating, feeling cold, fatigue, etc.
- Dry hair/skin, dehydration/overhydration, blue hands/feet
- Lanugo (fine body hair)
- Fainting or dizziness when standing
- Very low or high heart rate
The first step in addressing an eating disorder, whether you are a concerned parent or coach, is to create a safe environment where the athlete feels comfortable to have an open conversation about concerns. Then, reaching out to professionals such as dietitians and psychologists will allow your athlete to receive the help they need and begin their road to recovery and reach optimal performance in their sport as soon as possible. Don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our dietitians at Sööma who specialize in sports nutrition and eating disorders here. The sooner disordered eating is addressed, the better the chances of full recovery.
Interested in getting a free resource about creating a safer sports culture? Download our PDF here.
Conclusion
Disordered eating affect 62% of female athletes and 33% of male athletes. This serious issue can impact both health and performance. By fostering a healthier sports environment, recognizing the signs early and seeking help when needed, athletes can recover and return to their sport with a healthier mindset and a well-nourished body.
