There is a tendency to look at athletes as the epitome of health. However, it is important to recognize and remember that this is not always the case. Whether the athlete in question is an Olympic gold medalist, an influencer followed by many online, a star player on a high-school team, a dancer on Broadway, or gymnast at a local studio; all of these individuals and more are at risk for developing mental and physical health problems, including unhealthy relationships with their bodies and food.
Studies have shown that athletes tend to be at a higher risk of developing eating disorders than non-athletes. Even so, sometimes this depends on the athlete’s level of competitiveness, as well as the sport’s focus on an athlete’s body. Regardless of the sport or level of competition, many athletes are encouraged by coaches and teams to closely watch their food intake, physical activity, body shape or performance, and more. Student athletes are typically required to maintain certain grades in order to participate in their sport, which is an additional area of self-surveillance and pressure they experience. It is easy to see how an eating disorder may develop in an environment that encourages such close self-surveillance of the body and its functions.
What traits are commonly seen in people with eating disorders? How does this relate to athletes?
There are common traits that individuals with eating disorders tend to display. These include, but are not limited to: high levels of perfectionism; high impulsivity; high levels of negative emotions including anxiety, irritability, self-criticism,and self-doubt; high obsessive-compulsiveness; strong responses to rewards; thrill-seeking behaviors; harm-avoidance; difficulty making decisions; and low assertiveness and cooperativeness.
Looking at these common personality traits amongst people with eating disorders, it is clear how they may also be present in many athletes. Many athletes seek perfectionism in their sports and academics, enjoy competition due to the excitement and thrill of it, and respond strongly to positive and negative feedback from others, including teammates and coaches. Further, these traits are often positively reinforced in athletes. Perfectionism in sports and academics is pushed, the importance of competition is reinforced and the adrenaline that accompanies it is typically seen as a reward, and athletes are expected to seek out feedback to improve their skills. When looking at the combination of personality traits and self-surveillance pressures that are often seen within athletes, it is understandable why this population is at a higher risk for developing an eating disorder.
Treatment for athletes with eating disorders
Treatment for athletes with eating disorders, depending on the severity of the disorder, can have its own complications and its own rulebook. Firstly, medical professionals of all kinds need to be educated about the signs of an eating order to ensure they are not dismissed. If someone comes in with symptoms of an eating disorder, whether that be a behavioral pattern or a slowed heart rate, their symptoms should not be brushed off due to their status of being an athlete, but rather treated as a serious signal to learn more about current conditions. Additionally, treatment providers should be aware of the significance that exercise and sport participation has on an athlete’s mental health. While in some cases sports and exercise may cause athletes increased stress or anxiety, many athletes use their sport to cope with and process emotions.
Many athletes also label their team or others in their sport as their support system, and encouraging distance from this can be harmful during recovery. This note needs to be acknowledged both in medical and therapeutic settings through clinicians encouraging continued participation in athletics, when appropriate, while also working to find a healthy balance and ensure no further risks. Ideally, athletes, their coach, doctors, therapists, and a dietitian will work collaboratively as a team to find the best plan of recovery that keeps the athlete healthy and engaged in their sport.
How can coaches and parents help?
One of the most important things to know as a coach or a parent of an athlete is that your athlete can develop an eating disorder, and could possibly be at a higher risk of this than the general population. It is important to make sure that athletes are maintaining their natural body weight and shape, and not becoming hyper-focused on their weight or figure. Additionally, be aware of who is giving your athletes advice. While some sources cannot be protected against, ensuring that other coaches, parents, peers, doctors, dietitians, and so on are not encouraging problematic and unhealthy eating or exercise habits will be of utmost importance.
Another piece of advice is to simply start the conversation. If you are worried, or if you notice something, create a safe space to allow serious talk about what is going on and any emotions or behaviors that may be present. Lastly, never be afraid to reach out to a professional for help, for you or someone else. Whether the concern is an eating disorder, disordered relationship with food or exercise, anxiety, OCD, depression, or anything else, professionals are there to assist you at any level.
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