EATING DISORDERS AMONG ATHLETES - RESEARCH AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Research indicates that certain athletes, particularly those in sports that emphasize leanness to enhance performance or appearance (e.g., g ymnastics, wrestling, figure skating, diving, and ballet), are at risk for eating disorders. Little is known about the risk for eating disor der symptoms in weight and strength training. It is concluded that, ev en when mild variants of eating disorders are observed in athletes, th ey should be given immediate attention because they may severely compr omise health and performance. Practical recommendations are made for c oaches and trainers to identify the physical, psychological, and behav ioral symptoms of eating disorders. Finally suggestions are made for a ddressing eating disorders in athletes.