Written by: Sasha Lovitz
Edited by: Jonathan Cina
Eating disorders have become an increasingly prevalent problem in college, particularly among young adult athletes who face immense pressure to succeed, which can further exacerbate these conditions. According to Within Health, up to 84 percent of college athletes struggle with disordered eating patterns (Clerkin 2024). However, disorder eating patterns aren’t severe enough to meet the diagnostic criteria for eating disorders but pose serious mental and physical health risks. Other studies have reported that the prevalence of eating disorders in college athletes is between 1.1 and 49.2 percent, with 31 percent describing bulimic tendencies, body dissatisfaction, and weight preoccupations. In many cases, eating disorders manifest when stress, anxieties, and learning struggles get in the way of regular daily routines. To foster college student’s health and athletic performance, it is important to understand the factors that contribute to developing eating disorders, the consequences the disorders carry, and the available interventions.
College athletes in particular are extremely at risk of developing eating disorders. Eating disorders that affect college athletes, such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder, also affect the general population, however, may present differently due to the demands of athletic performance. Anorexia nervosa is characterized by engaging in extreme food restrictions to maintain or achieve a low body weight. Bulimia nervosa is when cycles of binge eating followed by purging induced by vomiting, laxatives, or excessive exercise, severely impact an athlete’s health. Binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder and involves consuming large amounts of food in a short period without purging. These are the most common eating disorders that affect college athletes.
There are many different causes why athletes develop disorders such as unrealistic standards, body dissatisfaction, and peer dynamics. Athletes are often under intense pressure to perform to unrealistic standards, which can result in extreme behaviors to maintain their physique. Various sports like gymnastics, wrestling, or rowing require athletes to achieve a specific weight or composition, putting them at greater risk for disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Similarly, a handful of sports have certain aesthetics that emphasize physical appearance or specific body types, such as swimming, diving, and figure skating. The idea of being “lean” in sports has led athletes to engage in restrictive eating, excessive exercise, or purging behaviors to achieve a desired body shape or weight (Borgen and Torstveit, 2010). Athletes often put immense pressure on themselves, usually amplified by coaches and teammates emphasizing the importance of maintaining certain appearances. According to a study from Science Direct, 35 percent of athletes reported that critical comments about their weight or body proportions significantly impacted their body perception (Haycraft et al., 2022). Most coaches strive to promote healthy eating habits; however, they can unknowingly contribute to disordered eating behaviors by emphasizing weight control or idealized body types as a part of performance goals. Peer dynamics among teammates can also create an environment where disordered eating habits are normalized or even encouraged (Thompson and Sherman, 2014). Additionally, athletes who are sidelined by injuries worry about how to get back into physical shape. Without the ability to train how they usually do, they are unable to regain or lose the required amount of muscle or weight, leading them to turn to unhealthy eating habits.
There are numerous health risks associated with eating disorders which present more dangerously for athletes who require a high nutritional intake and physical resilience. Research indicates that up to 48% of female athletes with an eating disorder also suffer from depression, a rate higher than in the general population (Papathomas and Lavallee, 2012). Additionally, disordered eating can lead to “relative energy deficiency in sport” (RED-S), a syndrome that affects bone density, menstrual function immunity, and cardiovascular health (Mountjoy et al., 2014). Not only are athletes prone to eating disorders they are also more likely to experience significant mental health risks associated with eating disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and isolation. As far as this pertains to college athletes, their conditions may make them feel disconnected from their teammates or unable to fully participate in their sport (Arthur-Cameselle et al., 2017). To protect and support athletes, colleges and athletic departments must provide athletes, coaches, and staff with education about the dangers of disordered eating and the importance of mental health. Prevention programs emphasizing a holistic approach to performance, focusing on overall wellness rather than weight, have been shown to reduce disordered eating behaviors (Voelker et al., 2018). Coaches also shape an athlete's attitude toward body image and food. Training coaches to recognize the signs of eating disorders, prioritize performance skills, and control overweight can foster a positive, health-oriented sports culture (Thompson and Sherman, 2014).
Access to professionals, such as sports psychologists, dieticians, and counselors, is also crucial for preventing and treating eating disorders in athletes. Promoting positivity and teamwork culture can also be protective. Teams that foster open communication and body positivity help athletes recognize early signs of disordered eating and encourage each other to seek help. Research shows that peer support is one of the strongest predictors of healthy attitudes toward body image and food among athletes (Arthur-Camaselle et al., 2017). Colleges and universities can implement peer support programs about body positivity and mental health that create an open and safe environment. Teammakes who openly discuss struggles and provide mutual encouragement can destigmatize and enhance early behaviors of eating disorders. Additionally, coaches can be educated in positive reinforcement and body-neutral language to make athletes feel more comfortable and safe. For example, teams who go through mandatory eating disorder awareness and prevention can lower the instances of disordered eating among athletes.
Eating disorders among college athletes represent a significant health concern that affects both physical and mental well-being. Addressing these disorders effectively requires education, health, and athletic performance. Through these efforts, colleges can create an environment where athletes feel empowered to maintain a healthy balance not only in their sports but in their lives beyond the field.
References
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Haycraft, E., & Plateau, C. R., Scott, C. L. (2022, September 22). The impact of critical comments from teammates on athletes’ eating and exercise psychopathology. Retrieved November 18, 2024, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1740144522001565
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