EATING

DISORDERS IN
ATHLETES
EATING DISORDERS OCCUR MORE FREQUENTLY
AMONG ATHLETES THAN THE GENERAL
POPULATION.
STARTS WITH HEALTHY DIETING
It is really easy for athletes to develop eating disorders.
For them, it typically starts with healthy dieting that
leads to more restrictive weight control and increased
exercise. These habits are often encouraged by
coaches, teammates, and improved performance.

HAPPENS MORE IN CERTAIN

SPORTS
Eating disorders are more likely to occur in sports where
thinness is encouraged to improve performance.
Athletes in sports such as endurance running,
gymnastics, figure skating and wrestling face a higher
risk of developing an eating disorder

WHY DO ATHLETES HAVE AN

INCREASED RISK?
Sport Specific Body Ideals - "Thinness will result in
improved performance."
Personality Characteristics
Timing - Professional Athletes and Disordered
Eating habits are formed in the same years of life

PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS
Here's a terrifying fact: Athletes are known to be
perfectionistic, goal oriented, competitive, and
concerned with the outcome of their performance.
These are the same characteristic repeatedly seen in
individuals with eating disorders, especially anorexia
nervosa.

NCAA STUDY ON EATING DISORDERS IN

ATHLETES
1445 Students from 11 schools were studied and surveyed
The mean desired body fat for females was around 13%, and
the actual body fat was 15.4&
Healthy body fat for women is 17% - 25%
The mean desired body fat for males was 8.6%, and the mean
actual body fat was 10.5%
Healthy body fat for men is 10% - 15%