Can you Win More if you Weigh Less? : Eating Disorders and Sports

A topic not discussed openly in sports is the role of eating disorders. Typically when you visualize an athlete one of the words used to describe them would be healthy. We imagine that athletes with their will power and dedication not only to the sport but to fitness are bound to be healthy, because its common assumption that they exercise and eat right. However, in many sports there is a tremendous pressure to be thin that could be the driving force behind the rise of eating disorders in the world of sports. For instance, in gymnastics, athletes are judged not only by technical skill but also by artistic skill and many judges believe that thinness is critical in achieving a strong artistic score. The dangers of athletes having eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia are much greater because they are constantly pushing their body to the limit with the amount of physical exertion; this in combination with electrolyte imbalances leaves athletes at risk of dying from sudden onset of cardiac arrest. 

Retrieved from: Knothead Blogs

It is important for coaches, trainers, family members to be able to identify eating disorders in athletes because many times it remains undetected due to assumptions such as working out plenty or being to busy to eat. Furthermore, educating coaches and trainers as well as athletes about the impact of pressure to win which can result in an eating disorder is essential in combination with education regarding maintaining a healthy weight are the best preventative techniques. Ideally regulations should be changed, an athlete should not be given extra points because they are thin. It is difficult to believe that such practices exist in the world of sports today, even after the knowledge about eating disorders, healthy eating and body image.