Eating Disorders and Female Athletes Essay example

Eating Disorders and Female Athletes What are eating disorders? Eating disorders are characterized by gross disturbances in eating behavior and include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, eating disorders not otherwise specified(NOS), and binge eating disorder. Also, several researchers have coined the term anorexia athletics. Anorexia nervosa is characterized by refusal to maintain body weight over a minimum level considered normal for age and height, along with distorted body image, fear of fat and weight gain, and amenorrhea (absence of menstruation). Bulimia nervosa is characterized by binge eating followed by purging. These behaviors should occur at least twice a week for three months. Binge eating disorder typically†¦show more content†¦Prolonged amenorrhea (5 months or longer without a menstrual period) is seen in some athletic groups. It may be associated with eating problems and dieting behavior, or simply with high levels of physical activity. (Brooks-Gunn, et al.) Who is at risk? Numerous studies have shown that athletes are more prone to developing eating disorders than nonathletes, as well as female athletes being more at risk than their male counterparts. Disordered eating is seen in athletes of all sports. (Johnson, 1994). The prevalence of eating disorders in the female athletic population ranges from anywhere between one and forty percent, depending on the athletes questioned, and the methodology used (Sundgot-Borgen, 1994). Rosen and Hough (1988) found that 32 percent of athletes practiced at least one pathogenic weight-control technique(141). A study done by Sundgot-Borgen, in 1994, controlled for the possibility that self-report data could be unreliable in numerous ways, including not informing coaches of their intentions, and assuring 100 percent confidentiality to the athletes who participated. It found that the risk for eating disorders is increased if an athletes dieting is unsupervised, if there is an early start to sport-specific training, and/ or extreme exercise (Sundgot-Borgen, 418). Does the nature or type of sport matter? Yes and no. It is believed that the highest prevalence of eating disorders is in female athletes competing in sportsShow MoreRelatedEating Disorders Among Female Athletes958 Words   |  4 PagesEating Disorders Among Collegiate Female Student-Athletes Eating disorders (e.g., anorexia nervosa, bulimia) are not rare in today’s society. They have become increasingly common among young women. Research indicates that there is a link between the media’s representation of â€Å"the perfect body† as well as ideals of attractiveness with dissatisfaction of body image and eating disorders (Ferguson, Munoz, Garza, Galindo, 2013). In this current literature review, I will focus on the impact of eatingRead MoreThe Prevalence Of Eating Disorders Among Elite Female Athletes1773 Words   |  8 Pagesthat elite female athletes, who need to be in near-perfect shape to compete, would be the last people to develop an eating disorder. Good afternoon Principal Mr Grimes, special guests, staff and students. My name is Marine Madsen and I am here today to present my Research Project: The Prevalence of Eating Disorders Amongst Elite Female Athletes. (CHANGE SLIDE) Today I will be addressing two questions. Firstly, what is the prevalence of eating disorders amongst elite female athletes and is thisRead MoreEating Disorders Has Affected The Lives Of Many Athletes Around The World1546 Words   |  7 PagesEating disorders have affected the lives of many athletes around the world. Being scared of being overweight but rather caused by an addiction to food can result in the development of an eating disorder. 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Up to 24 million people of all ages and genders suffer from an eating disorder in the U.S (ANAD, n.d.) bulimia nervosa as well as the other eating disorders are considered to be a female eating disorder, a disorder that only affects women which limits males to seek treatment let alone make aware to other that they suffer from bulimiaRead MoreFemale Athlete Triad : A Condition1359 Words   |  6 PagesBailey Jensen Mrs. Hable College Prep Writing 11 September 2015 Female Athlete Triad Female athlete triad is a condition where bone loss, irregular menstrual cycles, and energy deficiency occur in athletes. Occasionally referred to as the triad, this condition is seen mostly in female athletes, although in rare cases male athletes can suffer from it as well. It occurs so often in today s female athletes however, due to distorted body expectations, common menstrual irregularities, and the alreadyRead MoreEating Disorders in Sports1405 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction General Background The occurrence of eating disorders are a serious problem worldwide. A major problem with this disease, abnormal eating behaviour that can threaten your health or even your life,(1) is that the mortality prevalence rates are highest among those who are not under professional care: per 100 000 females, 370 die suffering from Anorexia Nervosa and 1500 women with Bulimia die.(2) The worldwide prevalence of eating disorders among athletes, 0-19% for men, and 6-45% for women, is higherRead MoreWhy Athletes Are Becoming An Elite Athlete909 Words   |  4 Pagesschool or becoming an elite athlete in the professional sense, where the individual now earns a living from playing said sport. Athletes are defined as an individual who has trained and/or become skilled in sports, exercise, or games in which require physical strength, stamina, and agility (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). This then posses the question, can an individual whom is not at their best physical strength or agility or stamina be someone that we’d consider an athlete? We’ve seen over time an increaseRead MoreFemale Athletes And The Female Athlete, By Irene Lambrinoudaki And Dimitra Papadimitr iou1063 Words   |  5 Pagesin the female athlete,† by Irene Lambrinoudaki and Dimitra Papadimitriou, written in 2010. My athletic career ended recently, however being a three sport female athlete in high school and participating in two sports in college was extremely important to me. By being so active with sports, this article caught my eye and has made me realize how common it is for women to suffer from this bone loss problem. Reading this has interested me in wanting to learn more about bone loss in female athletes and what