Eating Disorders And Gymnastics Essay - 2469 Words

Eating Disorders And Gymnastics Eating disorders are especially common among athletes because the pressure of the sport environment frequently precipitates the onset of these problems. In this population, certain compulsive behaviors such as excessive exercise and restricted eating patterns are seen as acceptable, and pathogenic methods of weight control are often introduced. In addition, concern about body size and shape is increased because of the social influence for thinness [from coaches and peers], anxiety about athletic performance, and negative self-appraisal of athletic achievement (Williamson et al. 1995). Finally, the competitive nature of sports reinforces characteristics such as perfectionism, high achievement†¦show more content†¦Some male athletes do use extreme methods for losing weight, but an important difference exists between these and the self-starvation strategies of anorexics. For instance, a wrestlers perception of his body is not distorted and when he is not competing, he can regai n the weight with ease. Do female gymnasts suffer an even greater risk? As demonstrated by such famous gymnasts as Kathy Johnson and Nadia Comaneci who have struggled with eating disorders themselves, womens gymnastics seems designed for the disease (Dying for a medal 1994). In the 1992 NCAA survey, 51% of the gymnastics programs that responded reported this illness among its team members, a far greater percentage than in any other sport (Dying to win 1994). Unfortunately, the real number is probably even higher. Why might gymnasts be more vulnerable to eating disorders? Anorexia often strikes young women who try to evade the natural process of becoming adults and who use excessive measures to maintain a thin and girlish figure--the exact description of what todays female gymnast must accomplish to stay competitive at its highest levels. For these athletes, the onset of womenhood is their biggest fear because it means developing hips or breasts that might hinder their performance. Thus, starving themselves offers the most convenient solution to their problem. In addition, many of these girls begin training specifically for this sport since the time theyShow MoreRelatedEating Disorders : The, Rumination Disorder And Avoidant / Restrictive Food Intake Disorder-1537 Words   |  7 PagesAnita case reflects the perfect example of an eating disorder included in the DSM-5 in one single category called feeding and eating disorders. â€Å"Three disorders - pica, rumination disorder and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder- typically begin in infancy o r childhood, often among children with intellectual disabilities† (Oltmanns Emery, 2015, p263). 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Behind those beautiful, slim bodies a serious condition may be lurking, one that is not a popular topic of discussion among many coaches and even overly ambitious parents. Nowadays, girls at a very young age are becoming more and more involved in competitive sports thatRead MoreBulimia Nervos A Psychological Disease1186 Words   |  5 Pagesownself so person try remove the excess food from body or sometime person do the long fasting and excessive amount of exercise (book). However, many author describe bulimia nervosa as a psychological disease (Rushing, Jones, Carney,2003). This disorder more frequent present in young female particular when female reaches as puberty time. Classification Bulimia nervosa can be classified into two major sub type (Rushing, Jones, Carney,2003) which is described below here 1. Non-purging 2. PurgingRead MoreEating Disorders And Excessive Exercise921 Words   |  4 PagesEATING DISORDERS AND EXCESSIVE EXERCISE IN SPORT 2 Introduction One essential part of competitive sport is nutrition and exercise. These factors are important because they can considerably affect an athlete’s performance. In the Perfect Body, Andie, an aspiring Olympic gymnast, engages in a strict diet to fit her sporting norm. Her coach pushes her to lose weight, and she feels pressured to maintain a small build. In order to reach the professional levelRead More Eating Disorders Essay1625 Words   |  7 Pageslife of a family dealing with an eating disorder. Eating disorders are a major problem with the young people of todays society. While anorexia and bulimia are sociological problems plaguing the worlds youth, there are also other eating disorders. This quot;fat phobiaquot;, or fear of being over-weight, disturbs people to the point where they are in a way, committing suicide. Eating disorders have been termed the disease of the 1980s. An eating disorder is defined as quot;a dangerousRead MoreEating Disorders: Anorexia and Bulimia1614 Words   |  6 Pagesdeadly eating disorders that can cause severe physical and mental health problems. Anorexia is an eating disorder of self- imposed starvation and a mental illness. In fact, anorexia has one of the highest death rates of any mental illness(Gerri FreidKramer, page 15). Bulimia is a mental eating disorder characterized by overeating followed by purging(Gerri Freid Kramer, page 21). People with bulimia are known for self induced vomiting, and using laxatives or diuretics. Both eating disorders are