WEIGHT-LOSS BELIEFS, PRACTICES AND SUPPORT SYSTEMS FOR HIGH-SCHOOL WRESTLERS

Purpose: Wrestlers often engage in unhealthy practices to achieve a lo w body weight for competition. This study examined beliefs, practices, and potential support systems to promote safe weight loss among schol astic wrestlers. Methods: A written questionnaire was developed and ad ministered to all nine high school wrestling teams in one rural county . Responses were obtained from 197 wrestlers. Results: Most wrestlers reported that ''making weight'' was very important. Increased activity and decreased food intake were the most frequent weight loss methods. Unsafe methods such as vomiting and use of laxatives were sometimes u sed, even though many wrestlers recognized these practices were unheal thy and decreased performance. Personal desire to win, coaches, and te ammates were reported to be the greatest influences on weight loss eff orts. Wrestlers believed that coaches and physicians were the most acc urate sources of weight loss information. Conclusion: Nutrition counse ling which goes beyond simply providing information about the risk of rapid weight loss among adolescent wrestlers is needed. Emphasis on mo tivating wrestlers to adopt healthy weight management strategies is im portant. Wrestlers perceive physicians as credible sources of informat ion, and physicians should become more actively involved in educating both coaches and athletes about safe weight management.