• Any sport that requires thinness or weight control places athletes at-risk for disordered eating:

- Risk sports include, but are not limited to, gymnastics, distance running, figure skating, ballet, wrestling, rowing, cross-country skiing, diving, swimming, and bodybuilding.

• Body Shape and genetics make it nearly impossible for some athletes to lose weight and remain healthy.

- Some people are genetically predetermined to carry a greater percentage of body fat.

• The Laureate Research Foundation found that among college athletes:

- 52% of females in the study (562 total) reported feeling overweight by 5 pounds or more.

              - 25% of males in the study (883 total) reported feeling overweight by 5 pounds or more.

- 58% of females and 38% of males were considered "at risk" for developing an eating disorder.

• In the general population, 2-5% of women experience Amenorrhea. Among athletes, the

prevalence ranges from 3-66% in different sports.

• The most important events reported by female athletes leading to the onset of their eating

problems include:

- Failure in athletic competition

- Feeling out of control overall

- Teasing about appearance

- Injury that interferes with exercise

- Problems in romantic relationships

- Prolonged periods of dieting

 

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