The connection between eating disorders and sports

In different seasons hyper activity often occurs and develops in patients who suffer from chronic dieting. Most patients believe that frequent and intensive physical activities help them control their diet. Researchers consider “excessive exercise” a marker which should be specified and defined. Generally patients spend minimum16 hours doing exercises (Rexch, 2007).

To exercise the flows are rampart even in case of athletes. The focus is on optimal body shapes and weight within sports in which thinness, certain kilograms and huge muscles are expected. Therefore athletes have the chance to develop pathological eating disorders (Túry and Pászthy, 2008). Their sports achievement may drastically decrease. In this respect the most dangerous sports are rhythmic gymnastics, figure skating, long distance running, ballet, wrestling, karate in which young athletes put their health at risk Sports in which aesthetic is a crucial issue means danger as athletes start specific trainings much earlier than generally athletes doing other sports. Given that these athletes are physically and mentally underdeveloped they are susceptible exposed to injuries and eating disorders. These athletes’ technical skills and competences cannot be developed later in their career. It is evident then that these sports have more risk factors (Sundgot-Borgen, 1994). Davidson and et al (2001) revealed that young girls doing aesthetic sports place heavy emphasis upon body image and weight. Naturally all these contribute to develop eating disorders. It has been a practice lately that very young girls are made to take part in competitions as they are slimmer than their older team mates. This tendency cannot be stopped until rules have been changed. In weight category sports the following disorders are developed: weight controlling, self-induced vomiting and purging (Valentino and et al, 207).

There are many reasons for developing eating disorders, for example, a tragic event, illnesses, changing trainers, losing an important person, problem with a partner, or being teased because of weight. Youth athletes employ a great variety of methods to lose weight and maintain this shape (Sundgot-Borgen, 1994). 

If athletes feel that they are fat despite their slim body it may be assumed that they are anorexia nervosa sufferers. Among the consequences are pathological ruptures and factures as well as scoliosis. Further complications are the slowed down somatic functions, low blood pressure and bradycardia. (Resch, 1997). Anorexia nervosa patients suffer from performance orientation, compulsiveness and perfection chasing. The same features, for example, perfection and excessive trainings can characterise those athletes’ performance who intend to become high achievers. Thus for them it is not easy to accept their trainers’ opinion about either they can pursue success or have already developed some type of pathological illness (Túry and Pászthy, 2008).

The other well-known symptom of eating disorders is bulimia nervosa. These patients are binge eaters and they frequently use the method and technique of self-induced vomiting. Other factors which increase vulnerability are calcium loss, irregular heart beat and cardiac arrest. These health problems are not always recognised and diagnosed as athletes deny and hide their problems (Túry and Pászthy, 2008)