The Role Of Eating Disorders In Male Athletes

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Eating disorders are more commonly seen in females; however, they do occur in male athletes. They are less prominent than in female athletes, and therefore in danger of being missed. Chatterton et al (2013) lead an expansive research involving the diagnoses and treating eating disorders in male athletes. The study looked at 732 male focused group participants of college athletes. The data collected and data analysis was very practical, but some of the points were quite excruciating. The first major point was that male athletes have even higher percentage rates in eating disorders compared to female athletes. Another point was that due to the social image of men, most men were too embarrassed to admit or seek help since it is “unmanly”, to show …show more content…
His life story was tremendously poignant. This research was formed by establishing several interviews with Mike where he spoke about his early childhood till present and his future goals. According to Papathomas & Lavellee Mike was a healthy young man that was highly praised for his athletic success and socially admired by his colleagues. His problem started occurring in Middle school, when Mike was trying to find himself in the right sport. He participated in soccer, swimming, and football. Soccer and swimming athletes are commonly seen as slim body types so this was a problem for Mike since he big and muscular; whereas, his body shape was at his advantage in football. He wanted to do it all; therefore, his eating disorder began. He was accustomed of being the best in every sport once he joined an elite football team in college his eating disorders become even more evident. Being part of the elite team Mike found his identity and his world circulated around it. He consider himself as a perfectionist, and wanted to be the best academically and physically. This was his main cause towards his unhealthy eating habits. His coach was the first one to realize his excessive weight loss but it was too late Mike had already had years with his eating disorder. Mike was soon meeting the DSM-IV

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