female athletes; eating disorders Flashcards
What are characteristics of an eating disorder?
- Purging
- Binge eating
- Starving
What are the main types of eating disorders for female athletes?
- Anorexia nervosa
- Bulimia nervosa
- Disordered eating
What is Anorexia nervosa?
A disorder in which individuals restrict their food intake relative to their energy requirement.
What is Bulimia Nervosa?
A disorder in which an individual binge eats in one sitting and then attempts to get rid of food intake through purging.
What is purging and how do individuals with Bulimia and Anorexia nervosa do it?
Purging refers to unconventional, detrimental ways to remove food intake, this includes;
- Forcefully vomiting
- Taking laxatives
Where are eating disorders commonly found?
These disorders are found in females who participate in sports where body shape is apart of the overall performance and display.
(e.g. gymnastics, dance, diving)
What are the main factors that lead to eating disorders in female athletes?
Female athletes have twice the risk of developing an eating disorder due to;
- Exposure to peer influence and media
- Succumbing to societal expectations to conform to an ideal sporting image
What percentage of female athletes in aesthetic sports have experienced the affects of eating disorders?
More than half.
How can coaches and parents manage/prevent eating disorders?
- Place realistic expectations on female athletes
- Promote health and performance over image
- Be aware of warning signs of an eating disorder
What are warning signs of an eating disorder?
- Changes in mood
- Altered dietary intake
- Increased exercise levels
- Rapid change in body shape
