Most people think the words athlete and eating disorder would never be used in the same sentence. Unfortunately they are. Recently, there have been more and more male athletes developing eating disorders. This is most likely caused but the idea that the leaner you are, the better your competitive advantage is going to be. In sports like wrestling and running, athletes strive to be at lean as they can. Eating disorders are coming to a head after recent deaths of wrestlers.
How does an athlete develop an eating disorder some of you may be wondering. According to Dr. James L. Glazer, of the Maine Medical Center, "Eating problems may first arise in a recreational athlete when he loses a few pounds as a result of training. Often he'll notice that he's getting faster and that his placement when he competes is getting higher and better. That will change what is a good and healthy dieting patter into one that becomes a little problematic and dangerous." It's very difficult to treat an athlete that doesn't think they have a problem, especially when they think their dieting ways are improving their performance.
If someone you know may be suffering from an eating disorder you should advise or help them get into a program. They should see a nutritionist and either a psychologist or psychiatrist.
For more information on athletes with eating disorders, check out this website:
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/nedaDir/files/documents/handouts/Athletes.pdf
When i played pop warner football i was over the weight limit for the team i wanted to play on. In order for me to play i had to lose 10 pounds in 2 weeks and there was no way i was going to starve, and put my health in danger for this. I think sports are very demanding now a days so it calls for extreme measures but i don't think anyone should do that to their body so they can get an extra edge on the competition.
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