Starving to Win: An Exploration of Eating Disorders in Female Athletes

Abstract

Although viewed as paragons of fitness and health, many female athletes struggle with eating disorders. Athletes participating in sports that emphasize aesthetics or a thin-build, such as gymnastics, figure skating, and endurance running, are at particular risk for the development of eating disorders. While Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa affect an athlete’s emotional and psychological well-being, they also cause permanent damage to physical health. The Female Athlete Triad refers to the three-fold condition of disordered eating, amenorrhea, and osteoporosis that commonly occurs in physically active girls and women. This paper examines the etiology of disordered eating in female athletes, explores the influence of coaches on eating disorder development, and introduces potential complications in treatment.