The world of sports places an emphasis on an athlete 's appearance. The typical athlete strives to appear lean and fit. Because of the added emphasis on the body and its appearance, studies have shown that an athlete has a higher risk of developing an eating disorder than that of other non-athletes. (Lawton 131) There was a research project done by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The project focused on the number of student athletes who had experienced an eating disorder in the previous two years. Of those students, ninety-three percent of the reported problems were found in women 's sports. The sports were, from most problems to least, cross country, gymnastics, swimming, and track and field events. The male sports
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(Lawton 135) Eating disorders are most commonly found in sports such as ballet and other types of dance, figure skating, gymnastics, swimming, rowing, running, horse racing, and ski jumping. While these are the most widely known sports that are affect by eating disorders, even athletes that participate in wrestling and body building can be affected by these diseases. There is a variety of disorders found in different sports. For example, a ballet dancer would most likely not suffer from the same eating disorder as a wrestler. Athletes suffer from a range of diseases, from anorexia to binge …show more content…
Binge eating is characterized by periods of uncontrolled, impulsive, or continuous eating beyond the point of feeling completely full. This disorder may also include many sporadic fasts or repetitive diets. This disease is most commonly found in wrestlers and football players. Binge eating can lead to other unhealthy problems including weight gain, unhealthy dieting, and emotional distress. (Lawton 108) The last category is, eating disorder not otherwise specified, or EDNOS. For a person to fall under this category, they would suffer from some combination of the signs and symptoms of anorexia, bulimia, and/or binge eating There are many difference causes of eating disorders. These causes vary from person to person. One of the most common causes in athletes is perfectionism and the competitive nature of the athlete. The goal of any athlete is to strive for perfection. Although this is not possible, many people are still willing to go as far as developing an eating disorder to accomplish their goal. This is commonly found in figure skating, gymnastics, diving, and dancing. The natural competitiveness of the athlete will sometimes take over, causing the athlete to go to severe lengths to enhance their
(Lawton 135) Eating disorders are most commonly found in sports such as ballet and other types of dance, figure skating, gymnastics, swimming, rowing, running, horse racing, and ski jumping. While these are the most widely known sports that are affect by eating disorders, even athletes that participate in wrestling and body building can be affected by these diseases. There is a variety of disorders found in different sports. For example, a ballet dancer would most likely not suffer from the same eating disorder as a wrestler. Athletes suffer from a range of diseases, from anorexia to binge …show more content…
Binge eating is characterized by periods of uncontrolled, impulsive, or continuous eating beyond the point of feeling completely full. This disorder may also include many sporadic fasts or repetitive diets. This disease is most commonly found in wrestlers and football players. Binge eating can lead to other unhealthy problems including weight gain, unhealthy dieting, and emotional distress. (Lawton 108) The last category is, eating disorder not otherwise specified, or EDNOS. For a person to fall under this category, they would suffer from some combination of the signs and symptoms of anorexia, bulimia, and/or binge eating There are many difference causes of eating disorders. These causes vary from person to person. One of the most common causes in athletes is perfectionism and the competitive nature of the athlete. The goal of any athlete is to strive for perfection. Although this is not possible, many people are still willing to go as far as developing an eating disorder to accomplish their goal. This is commonly found in figure skating, gymnastics, diving, and dancing. The natural competitiveness of the athlete will sometimes take over, causing the athlete to go to severe lengths to enhance their