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
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 →