Risk Factors for ED in Sport

Eating disorders do not discriminate between gender, age, socioeconomic status, ability, race, or ethnicity. However, there are some specific risk factors related to sport participation. One risk factor includes participating in a sport that emphasizes a thin body, size, shape, or weight. These sports typically have a weight class requirement, judge performance based on appearance, and/or have the belief that being thinner will have a biomechanical, competitive advantage (e.g., “moving through space faster”). Some of these sports include running, swimming, gymnastics, weightlifting, wrestling, figure skating, rowing, equestrian, and speed skating.

Now just because you may be involved in one of these sports does NOT mean you are going to fall victim to an eating disorder. Rather, it means that awareness of the risk involved in these specific sports and preventative measures should be taken into consideration especially during more vulnerable times in an athlete’s life. For example, the onset of an eating disorder is more prevalent between ages 13-14 and 17-18, because this is often the time in an athlete’s life where there are significant changes and transitions including body and hormonal changes, increased training load, increased pressure to perform, and higher level of competitiveness. Awareness and support during these periods of transition are particularly important to prevent an eating disorder or to catch one early.

Finally, it is important to note that sport itself is not an inherent risk factor for an eating disorder. Some individuals may develop an eating disorder even without sport engagement due to other bio-psycho-social factors. So, I want to clearly state that participating in sports should NOT be avoided! Especially because participating in sport can enrich individuals with so many other opportunities including strength, speed, coordination, endurance, increased self-esteem, identity development, healthy competition, and learning about teamwork. What should be avoided are the other factors that can contribute to an eating disorder including dieting, weight stigma, perfectionism, untreated mental health challenges, and social isolation.