female athletes; eating disorders

Question 1

What are characteristics of an eating disorder?

Answer 1

• Purging
• Binge eating
• Starving

Question 2

What are the main types of eating disorders for female athletes?

Answer 2

• Anorexia nervosa
• Bulimia nervosa
• Disordered eating

Question 3

What is Anorexia nervosa?

Answer 3

A disorder in which individuals restrict their food intake relative to their energy requirement.

Question 4

What is Bulimia Nervosa?

Answer 4

A disorder in which an individual binge eats in one sitting and then attempts to get rid of food intake through purging.

Question 5

What is purging and how do individuals with Bulimia and Anorexia nervosa do it?

Answer 5

Purging refers to unconventional, detrimental ways to remove food intake, this includes;
- Forcefully vomiting
- Taking laxatives

Question 6

Where are eating disorders commonly found?

Answer 6

These disorders are found in females who participate in sports where body shape is apart of the overall performance and display.
(e.g. gymnastics, dance, diving)

Question 7

What are the main factors that lead to eating disorders in female athletes?

Answer 7

Female athletes have twice the risk of developing an eating disorder due to;
- Exposure to peer influence and media
- Succumbing to societal expectations to conform to an ideal sporting image

Question 8

What percentage of female athletes in aesthetic sports have experienced the affects of eating disorders?

Answer 8

More than half.

Question 9

How can coaches and parents manage/prevent eating disorders?

Answer 9

• Place realistic expectations on female athletes
• Promote health and performance over image
• Be aware of warning signs of an eating disorder

Question 10

What are warning signs of an eating disorder?

Answer 10

• Changes in mood
• Altered dietary intake
• Increased exercise levels
• Rapid change in body shape