Impact of Sport

Did you know that athletes are nearly three times more likely to have an eating disorder than the average person? Personalities of athletes are a major factor in the development of eating disorders. These characteristics are often seen in those with Anorexia Nervosa. They include:

• high self-expectations
• determination
• perfectionism
• competitiveness
• preoccupation with weight and dieting

Sports with a high risk of encouraging eating disorders include sports where weight class requirements are strict, and provide the athlete a competitive advantage. These sports emphasize appearance and/or weight requirements (e.g. wrestling, bodybuilding, and martial arts). Other sports at high risk for eating disorders are those that are judged, such as ballet, figure skating, and gymnastics. Sports where the focus is on the individual rather than on an entire team, like track and field, are also of a higher risk. If a coach only focuses on performance, rather than the athlete’s health, the coach may also be a key contributor to the development of an eating disorder.

Since exercising is considered healthy, and is associated with appearance, under certain circumstances, regular exercise may mask or worsen an eating disorder. This may even lead to resistance to treatment. It is, therefore, important for parents to understand the reason behind their child’s activities and exercise.

Does the child “have to” exercise, or do they “want to” exercise. Beware that poor nutrition may lead to exercise addiction, and that exercise is often used to “purge” calories, thereby being dangerous for the child’s health.

Tips for parents:

• Understand the motivation for being active
• Do not offer sport activity as a reward for eating
• Beware of relative energy deficiency in sport (eating less relative to the energy expenditure)
• Restrict competitive sports during recovery
• Do not use exercise to manage anxiety or depression
• Avoid exercise during poor nutrition and/or during weight recovery as it can risk the health of the heart, internal organs, and bones