Eating Disorders -- Part I
Reprinted from:
All-Stater Sports
Part one
in the issue on sports-related eating disorders
Prepared by the U.S.
Olympic Committee Sports Medicine Division and the International Center
for Sports Nutrition
| The United States Olympic Committee is
the sole agency in the United States with the authority for the
selection and participation of U.S. teams in the Games. The Olympic
Training Centers serve more than 20,000 athletes each year, from the
41 sports on the Olympic or Pan Am programs.
The International Center for Sports Nutrition, a division of The
Center for Human Nutrition, is a key resource for all athletes and
active people striving to enhance performance through improved
nutrition. For further information, call (402) 559-5505 or write to
ICSN at 502 South 44th Street, Room 3007, Omaha, NE
68105-1065. | The Distress of Dieting
Weight and/or body fat restrictions are imposed in a
number of sports including wrestling, gymnastics, distance running,
cross-country skiing, ballet, and figure skating. A light physique often
gives athletes a distinct edge in performance. In gymnastics for example,
the ideal image has shrunk from sturdy muscularity to a razor-thin girlish
look. Leanness creates an image which can enhance the athlete's score from
judges. The average young female carries about 10 to 22 percent body fat,
but will likely strive for less than 10 percent if she is serious about
these sports. The young male athlete will strive for 5 to 7 percent body
fat. The norm for young men is 14 to 16 percent.
Rapid weight loss to compete in lower weight classification is a common
practice in sports such as wrestling, judo, boxing, and weightlifting.
Many coaches and athletes believe that training at a heavier weight and
dropping weight immediately before competition gives the athlete an
advantage. There is no data, however, to support this hypothesis.
"At first I only vomited or took water
pills when I had to make weight. Then I had to do it more often because
I'd gain more weight in between times. It seemed like the only way."
Recovering Bulimic In fact, data indicates just the
opposite. Techniques used to produce rapid weight loss often include
fasting, crash diets, dehydration, induced vomiting, laxatives, and
diuretics (water pills). Any of these can endanger an athlete's health and
impair performance.
Complications of
Anorexia Nervosa
and Bulimia
Anorexia nervosa and bulimia cause the body to feel
the harmful effects of dehydration and starvation. The athlete will not be
able to perform at his/her best. Starvation, semi-starvation, and/or
dehydration can cause the following to happen:
- loss of muscular strength
- loss of endurance
- decreased oxygen utilization
- decreased aerobic power
- decreased speed
- loss of coordination
- impaired judgement
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- reduced blood volume
- less blood flow to the kidneys
- loss of all muscle glycogen
- reduced heart function
- increased heart rate
- electrolyte loss
- inability to regulate body temperature
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