ANOREXIA AND BULIMIA

Anorexia and Bulimia

Anorexia and Bulimia

Introduction

Anorexia Nervosa is a condition characterized by intense fear of gaining weight or becoming obese, as well as a distorted body image, leading to an excessive weight loss from restricting food intake and excessive exercise. On the other, Bulimia is an eating disorder in which persistent over concern with the body weight and shape leads to repeat episodes of binging (consuming large amounts of food in a short time) associated with induced vomiting. (Bouchard 2000)

Background of the Problem

Studies have shown that athletes are far more prone to developing eating disorders than non-athletes. Athletes face additional pressures related to performance and, for some, aesthetic demands. Not surprisingly, those most affected by this disorder are female, particularly gymnasts, cross-country runners, and swimmers, all sports where low body weight is thought to confer a competitive advantage. Equally competitors in sports where a subjective judging element is involved, such as gymnastics, diving, skating and dancing may feel that their body size will influence their score, as will those in sports where weight categories are involved, such as wrestling and rowing, (the majority sports for male sufferers) are also at risk. Several risk factors have been identified: (Powers 2001)

Early dieting; dieting at an early age appears to be associated with the onset of an eating disorder. For young and impressionable athletes, such a recommendation may be perceived as a requirement for improved performance.

Unsupervised dieting; athletes with eating disorders may not seek supervision for fear their disorder will be discovered. Many have little knowledge about proper weight loss methods and receive their information in haphazard ways, from friends, magazine crash diets, and so on.

Early start to sport-specific training.

A traumatic event, e.g. the loss of a coach, injury, or illness act as triggers for the onset of eating disorders.

Prevention

Prevention is the key ...