Eating Disorders

The first factor of the Female Triad is having an EATING DISORDER:

Most girls with female athlete triad try to lose weight primarily to improve their athletic performance. The disordered eating that accompanies female athlete triad can range from avoiding certain types of food the athlete thinks are "bad" (such as foods containing fat) to serious eating disorders like anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. Body image has become an obsession in society. More people are weight conscious now than ever before. This obsession has given rise to two disorders: bulimia and anorexia. They are extremely harmful to athletes because they deprive the athlete of much needed nutrition and the disorders add stress the athletes lives.

*Bulimia commonly runs in females ranging in age from teenagers to middle aged women. Bulimics usually gorge themselves with food after a period of starvation. They will then purge themselves by inducing vomiting or taking diuretics and laxatives. The individual will enter another starvation period and the cycle will start over. These patterns of eating can lead to stomach ruptures, arrhythmias, liver damage, tooth decay, and chronic inflammation of the throat and mouth. Bulimic athletes are usually white, belong to a middle-class to upper-middle-class family, are perfectionist, highly motivated, academically successful, and well liked among peers. These female athletes, most often compete in dance, track, and gymnastics. Male athlete bulimics often compete in wrestling and gymnastics.

*Anorexia is characterized by a distorted body image and concern about weight gain. The disorder affects mostly females and can be mixed in with bulimia. The athlete will be extremely thin, however the athlete will think she is extremely fat. The individuals enter starvation periods and engage in large amounts of aerobic exercise. Individuals with the disorder or suspected of the disorder need to seek psychiatric and nutritional counseling. Treatment begins with the athlete realizing that he/she has a problem. Unfortunately, 15-20% of the individuals diagnosed with anorexia die from the disorder.