Eating Disorders in Athletes: What to Know and What to Look For

There is often a perception that athletes are the epitome of health. However, it is important to recognize that this is not always the case. Whether the athlete is an Olympic gold medalist, a popular social media influencer, a star high school player, a Broadway dancer, or a gymnast at a local studio, all of these individuals are at risk for developing physical and mental health problems, including unhealthy relationships with their bodies and food.

Studies show that athletes are at a higher risk of developing eating disorders compared to non-athletes. This risk often depends on the athlete’s level of competitiveness and the sport’s emphasis on body image. Regardless of the sport or competition level, many athletes are pressured by coaches and teams to closely monitor their food intake, physical activity, body shape, and performance. Student-athletes face additional pressure to maintain certain grades to participate in their sport, leading to increased self-surveillance. Given this environment, it’s easy to see how eating disorders can develop in athletes.

Common Traits in Athletes with Eating Disorders

Individuals with eating disorders often display certain personality traits, including:

High levels of perfectionism
Impulsivity and high levels of negative emotions (such as anxiety, irritability, and self-doubt)
Obsessive-compulsive behaviors
Strong responses to rewards
Thrill-seeking behaviors
Harm avoidance
Difficulty making decisions
Low assertiveness and cooperativeness

Many of these traits are also found in athletes. Athletes are often perfectionists in their sports and academics, thrive on competition, and react strongly to feedback from coaches and teammates. These behaviors are often reinforced in athletic settings, where perfectionism is encouraged, competition is celebrated, and feedback is used to enhance performance. When combined with pressures of self-surveillance, these traits increase the risk of eating disorders among athletes.

Treatment for Athletes with Eating Disorders

an athlete with an eating disorder is walking on the beach in a maze shaped from rocks, pondering Monarch Wellness online counseling in Maryland — Source- Unsplash.com

Treating athletes with eating disorders comes with its own set of challenges. Medical professionals must be trained to recognize the signs of an eating disorder, ensuring that symptoms, such as behavioral patterns or a slowed heart rate, are not dismissed due to the athlete’s status. These symptoms should be treated as serious indicators, requiring further investigation.

It’s important for treatment providers to understand the unique role that exercise and sports play in an athlete’s mental health. While sports and exercise may contribute to stress or anxiety, many athletes use their sport as a coping mechanism for emotions. Athletes may also consider their teammates or coaches as a support system. Encouraging athletes to distance themselves from these connections can be harmful during recovery.

In the ideal treatment setting, a collaborative team approach is used, including the athlete, their coach, doctors, therapists, and dietitians, to create a recovery plan that maintains the athlete’s physical health while also ensuring their continued involvement in their sport.

How Coaches and Parents Can Help Athletes with Eating Disorders

As a coach or parent of an athlete, it is crucial to recognize that athletes can develop eating disorders, and they may be at a higher risk than the general population. Ensuring that athletes maintain their natural body weight and shape—without becoming fixated on weight or appearance—is key.

It is also important to monitor the sources of advice athletes receive. While some influences may be unavoidable, it is essential that coaches, parents, peers, and medical professionals avoid promoting unhealthy eating or exercise habits.

If you are concerned, the most important step is to start the conversation. Create a safe, open space where athletes feel comfortable discussing their emotions and any troubling behaviors. Never hesitate to reach out to a professional for support, whether it’s for an eating disorder, a disordered relationship with food, exercise, anxiety, OCD, depression, or any other mental health concern.

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Eating Disorders in Athletes