Anorexia athletica

Anorexia athletica has not been recognized as an individual disease but athletes often suffer from it. The motivation behind this disorder differs from that of anorexia nervosa. In this condition athletes express their concern about their body weight in the form of an excessive obsession to achieve high performance (Túry and Pászthy, 2008). Athletes may engage in both excessive workouts as well as calorie restriction. The symptoms of this disease were described by Smith (1980) first. Sudi and et al published their outcomes and consequences in 2004. Although some concern may be present about the size and shape of the body still more emphasis is layed on higher achievements. It may also occur when coaches and parents pressure athletes to increase training, exercise or dieting. Such behaviours can be described only within the period of doing sports. It may be healed or disappear either when competition season is over or just during doing active physical activities (Willmore and Costill, 1994). Advanced cases of anorexia athletica may result in hormonal disorders, such as, delete menarche, menstrual irregularities, oligo–or amenorrhoea. Lower oestrogen level will cause bone loss (osteoporosis). Skeleton can be deformed and the risk of raptures and fractures increase (Túry and Pászthy, 2008). There are absolute and relative set of criteria of anorexia athletica (see table 3).

Absolute criteria (one of them should be present)	Relative criteria (one of them should be present)
Decrease of body weight being lower with 5% compared to the weight and age of contemporaries	Body image disorder
Organ disease due to excessive weight loss	Abnormal physical activities
Abnormal fear from obesity	Self-induced vomiting, using laxatives and diureticums
Energy intake is under 1200 calories	Binge eating,  irregular menses
Gastrointestinal complaints	Late puberty

Table 3 The absolute and relative criteria of anorexia athletica. Sundgot-Borgen (1994), (Túry and Pászthy, 2008 p. 67).

Experts find links between anorexia athletica and the role and work of coaches (Feit, 1992). Their primary responsibility is to maintain and support their athletes’ physical, mental and psychic health. They are expected to recognise and diagnose different eating disorders and inform their athletes’ about the risks and dangers of these behaviours.

Table 4 compares the factors of classical eating disorders with those of anorexia athletica. Thus these three disorders can be separated well from one-another.

 

Markers	Classic eating disorders		Anorexia athletica (AA)
	Anorexia nervosa (AN)	Bulimia nervosa (BN)
1. cutting down calorie intake, special diet	+	-	+++
2. generally decreased food intake	+++	-	-
3. weight decreases if 15% of the body weight	+++	-	++
4. binge eating	+	+++	+
5. self-induced vomiting, laxatives, diuretics	+	+++	-
6. excessive trainings (min. 16 month/week)	++	++	+++
7. abnormal fear from obesity	+++	++	+
8. body image disorder	+++	++	-
9. self esteem disorders	+++	++	-
10. gynaecological complaints	+++	++	+++
11. somatic complications	+++	++	++
12. comorbidity with depression	+++	++	+
13. performance motivation	+	+	+++
14. specific personal traits	obsessiv	borderline	perfekcionista

Table 4 the symptoms of anorexia athletica compared to the classical eating disorders (aneroxia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, Resch, 2007).

Behind successful sports achievements are good health and proper eating habits. Thin body and low body weight are benefits to enhance performance in several sports. But we should bear in mind that bodyweight is only one factor of success. If there is no optimal balance between these factors then harmful disorders will develop (Platen, 2000).

There are still several issues of sports which have not been clarified and studied yet. The following questions can be raised here: does sport attract individuals who are struggling with eating disorders? Or do physical activities result in illnesses? (Harvey, 1996). Do certain sports support the development of eating habits, behaviours or they can be considered typical and evident within elite athletes (Sudi and et al, 2004)?