Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are a form of coping with emotional and mental stress through food. Common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia.

For athletes, the pressure to win and an emphasis on body weight and shape can create a toxic combination. Athletic competition can also be a factor contributing to severe psychological and physical stress. When the pressures of athletic competition are added to an existing cultural emphasis on thinness, the risks increase for athletes to develop eating disorders. 

Athletes are known for their discipline, perseverance, and dedication to their sport. They push themselves to their limits in order to achieve their goals and be the best they can be. However, this intense drive to succeed can sometimes lead to an unhealthy relationship with food and body image. Eating disorders among athletes are more common than people realise and can have serious consequences on their physical and mental health. Eating disorders do not help athletes in the long run.