Student Athletes and Eating Disorders

During school sports season, student-athletes find themselves juggling academics, practices and competitions. These new, busier routines can bring added stress and pressure to perform—both in the classroom and on the field.

While sports offer many benefits, they can also introduce risks, especially when certain traits common among athletes—like perfectionism and pushing through discomfort—intersect with vulnerabilities to eating disorders.¹ Sports that emphasis a certain body shape or size can also affect teenagers, even more so in times of change. Sports such as cross country, wrestling, dance, gymnastics and volleyball oftentimes emphasize leanness.

Eating disorders can affect up to 62% of female athletes and 33% of male athletes.¹ While those percentages are alarming, early interventions and awareness can heavily impact the amount of people affected. Spartan Medical Research Journal found that eating disorders are more prevalent in adolescent athletes than non-athletes in all sports and levels. ²

Signs and symptoms of eating disorders in athletes

There are more signs that a person may be struggling than those that may initially come to mind. When eating disorder warning signs come to mind it’s common to think of changes in weight. While this is an observable sign, the absence of weight changes does not mean that someone is not struggling.

Other signs that may be present include:

• Changes in energy
• Getting sick more often
• An increase in irritability
• Anxiety
• Depressed mood
• Isolation
• Avoiding situations where food is present
• Eating privately

The physical symptoms and effects of lack of nutrition can have an impact on an athlete’s ability to perform. You may notice changes in performance, though it’s important to note that everyone’s body responds differently. If you’re worried someone may be struggling with an eating disorder, starting the conversation with the teen is an important first step.

How to support your student athlete

Talk about it.

Having conversations can result in less feelings of isolation regarding their discomfort with food and their bodies and have been proven to reduce risk associated with eating disorders.³ Discussing concerns in a kind and curious way can help the athlete feel more comfortable talking about it, even if it doesn’t happen immediately. Be patient and let them know you’re there if they need it.

Coaches have the opportunity to play an important role in supporting athletes, though often they may struggle to start the conversation. Offer to talk privately in a non-accusatory way and refrain from comments about weight.¹

Develop awareness about food and body talk.

Being aware of the way we are talking about food and bodies matters in the context of eating disorders. To be aware of what we say about ourselves and others can be crucial when someone is experiencing an eating disorder or in recovery. Avoid discussing calories, dieting, “good” vs. “bad” foods, weight loss strategies and saying things like:

• “I feel so fat today.”
• “I need to lose weight.”
• “I wish I had your self-control.”
• “I am so bad for eating that.”
• “I hate how I look in this.”
• “I’m on a diet,” or “I’m doing keto/cleansing/intermittent fasting.”
• “Are you sure you want to eat that?”
• “That’s a lot of food.”

Offer care not crticism.

When someone is struggling with an eating disorder, one of the best ways to offer support is to offer care and compassion. When we can offer care and not criticism, that opens the door for others to be honest and vulnerable with how they are doing, and how they are feeling. This can result in someone getting the help they need sooner. Early intervention is a key factor not only in preventing the eating disorder from worsening. ² Supporting an athlete in the early stages of an eating disorder can stir up an array of emotions, but it can make all the difference.

Seek additional support.

Eating disorders often require additional care which can include support from a therapist and dietitian. It’s necessary for athletes to listen to the recommendations from medical professions due to the risks associated with eating disorders and continued exercise.

References

1 Konstantinovsky, M. (2023, December 27). Eating Disorders in Athletes: What Everyone Should Know, National Alliance for Eating Disorders.

2 Mancine, R., Kennedy, S., Stephan, P., Ley, A. (2020, January 30). Disordered Eating and Eating Disorders in Adolescent Athletes. Spartan Medical Research Journal.

3 Ringwood, K. (n.d.). Athletes and Eating Disorders: A Time of High Pressure and Performance. ANAD- National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders