Adherence
Athletes participating in sports that emphasize leanness, weight classes, or aesthetic evaluation have a significantly higher prevalence of eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors compared to non-athletes and athletes in other sports.
If you compete in a sport where judges or opponents value low body weight (gymnastics, rowing, wrestling, distance running), your risk for developing an eating disorder is significantly higher than the general population. Proactively screen for disordered behaviors, not just weight. Focus on performance health and fueling rather than just leanness.
Disordered eating is more prevalent among athletes than non-athletes... athletes in lean sports exhibited more disordered eating behaviours than non-lean sport athletes... rates of eating disorders in aesthetic sports and weight-dependent sports were 25%, compared to 12% in other sports.
Why this rating
Based on multiple large-scale observational studies and meta-analyses cited (e.g., Sundot-Borgen, Chatterton and Petrie), though inherent to observational data.
Source
2016 update on eating disorders in athletes: A comprehensive narrative review with a focus on clinical assessment and management
Elizabeth A. Joy et al. · British Journal of Sports Medicine · 2016
DOI 10.1136/bjsports-2015-095735
More from this paper
- Female athletes with Anorexia Nervosa (BMI <16.5) or severe Bulimia Nervosa (purging >4 times/week) should be categorically restricted from sports participation due to high mortality and morbidity risks.Strong
- The DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for Anorexia Nervosa, specifically the removal of amenorrhea as a required criterion and the shift from '85% of ideal body weight' to 'significantly low weight', improve diagnostic accuracy for athletes, particularly females, males, and adolescents.Good
Related findings · Adherence
- Regular physical activity (at least 150 minutes/week of moderate-intensity) reduces all-cause and cardiovascular mortality by 20-30% and lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes by 25-35%.Strong
- Increasing physical activity from a sedentary lifestyle to an active one in middle adulthood significantly reduces the risk of coronary events compared to remaining sedentary.Strong
- Resistance exercise is the only intervention capable of consistently restoring muscle function and strength in sarcopenia, partially overcoming age-related anabolic resistance.Strong
This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →