Athletes & Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are biopsychosocial illnesses; they are developed and maintained within a unique and complex ecosystem. Biological (genetics, biological predispositions, physical health), psychological (temperament, esteem, goal orientation, coping, etc.), and social (relationships, peers, modeling, expectations, etc.) factors all play a significant role in disease manifestation, presentation, and prognosis.

There are unique pressures within the elite sports environment that encourage an unhealthy focus on body shape and weight (Petrie & Greenleaf, 2012). Personality characteristics that are often harnessed and fostered in elite sports include mental toughness, pursuit of excellence, pushing through pain, and coachability. These “good athlete traits” are similar to those traits found in anorexia nervosa: excessive exercise, perfectionism, over-compliance, high achievement orientation, and obsessive compulsive tendencies (Sundgot-Borgen & Torstveit, 2010).

Personality characteristics and predisposing factors that might typically be seen as red flags for an eating disorder in the general population are often interpreted as appropriate and even functional or necessary within elite athletics. Endurance running, specifically, emphasizes a lean physique for speed, leaving runners vulnerable to energetic imbalances and increased risk for eating disorders. Relational and sociocultural demands further perpetuate risk.

The athlete transition from high school to collegiate athletics is a time of much disruption and reorientation, for both the individual athlete (her/him)self and for the family and support systems. Individual developmental tasks, family life cycle transitions, and significant changes to ecosystemic framework can destabilize the athlete in this time of transition, increasing vulnerability to AN. Though not all athletes will develop AN, the risk for elite athletes entering the collegiate system is high (Arthur-Cameselle et al., 2017; McGannon & McMahon, 2019; McLester et al., 2014).

Your athlete identity is important and your experience is unique. FUEL is here to help support your athletic goals and your health!