LeBron James, Serena Williams, Michael Jordan, and Simone Biles are famous athletes who have risen to popularity for their talent, determination, hard work, and success. Athletes endure years of training from their early school days to their time in college to become champions in their sport of choice.

However, the intense pressures to be perfect, to win, and to fit the mold of what an athlete needs to look like comes at a cost, with these individuals at risk of developing an eating disorder. Research has shown that up to 45% of female and 19% of male athletes struggle with an eating disorder, with 2% of female athletes with anorexia (Rittenhouse, 2022). The physical aspects of training for a sport can have drastic mental effects on individuals with their eating habits and behaviors to maintain ‘perfected’ body expectations for their desired profession.

What Are The Signs Of An Eating Disorder In Athletes?

Although an eating disorder can affect both men and women, the prevalence of an eating disorder in sports is more common in women than men. Some of the visible signs of an eating disorder in an athlete include weight loss, excessive training, shifts in mood, cutting out specific foods, and avoiding eating with others (Becker, 2023). External sources of pressure come from coaches, family, teammates, and social media. Athletes also can fall into the depths of perfectionism, wanting to be the best and maintaining the high expectations set upon them by others. Because of this, individuals may end up developing disordered eating behaviors that cause them to use those habits to relieve their anxiety (Cost, 2022). There needs to be more awareness and precautions in place to help prevent disordered eating behaviors in athletes.

How To Help Athletes Seek Eating Disorder Treatment

Because of the mental and physical complications athletes can develop from an eating disorder, such as anorexia and bulimia, the best course of action would be to have loved ones and medical professionals intervene and encourage athletes to focus on their health. For athletes, it’s crucial to have reassurance that seeking treatment won’t hinder their training, progress, or success. Once treatment concludes and athletes enter into recovery, physical and occupational therapy can help reintroduce training healthily without applying too much pressure.