Eating Disorders in Athletes

Eating disorders in athletes is increasing, as the profession calls for thin people. Gymnastics, dancing, synchronized swimming, and skating have individuals suffering from eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. Incidents reveal the fact, that eating disorders can be life threatening and lead to cardiac arrest and organ failure. Imbalance in electrolytes cardiac arrhythmias are the common offspring of eating disorders in athletes. The primary causative factor is the thought, that the performance is enhanced with a thinner body.

Arduous exercises and practices, puts a lot of stress and pressure on athletes.

Body building is opted by weight loss. Laxatives for weight loss are a common feature in athletes, in addition to the use of diuretics. Knowledge about the consequences of these eating disorders is essential, as it helps them from refraining the athletes in activities, such as vomiting after meals, laxative abuse and so on. Athletes are obsessed with the desire to reduce weight, in order to achieve success. Nutritionists play an important role in such cases, helping them with proper and healthy eating. Counselors have a significant role in helping them out. A positive outlook of the disorder is necessary for them to open up.

Male athletes suffer more, as failures in competitions are unacceptable. Children in such field need special attention, to prevent further problems. Eating disorders is attributed to lack of respect for the self or denial of acceptance by the family. Anorexia nervosa is the result of excessive eating and vomiting induced at a later stage. Laxative or drug abuse also contributes to this condition. Bulimia nervosa is a condition involving bingeing and vomiting or purging, as a cyclic process. Oscillation of weight is seen, due to the hiding of food and eating them later. Supplements are taken to substitute for the unconsumed food or nutrients. Non-indulgence in foods aggravates the condition. Compulsive eaters are those who eat to combat stress and emotions.

Physical and mental health of athletes need an optimistic approach to protect themselves from such disorders, and help them achieve success, devoid of practices, like, laxative or drug abuse, use of diuretics and so on. Requirement of praise from the coach or instructor or achievement of a medal leads athletes to lose weight. Lack of knowledge or the spirits to win in athletes tempt them to opt such techniques to lose weight and move forward in life. Loss in a competition also leads to depression or anxiety, thereby causing weight loss.

Submitted on January 16, 2014