The Pressure to be Thin
As we are bombarded daily with advertisements and programs promoting weight loss and skinniness, it’s not hard to realize why many feel an unhealthy pressure to be super-thin. Now, imagine combining day-to-day cultural pressures to be thin with the drive of athletic competition and enter the world of the anorexic athlete. Sports whose athletes are significantly at risk include skating, gymnastics, running, swimming, and rowing. Females athletes are at a higher risk than males for eating disorders – in fact, a USA Today study reported that 1/3 of its female participants experienced disordered eating. The unrealistic pressures both to be thin and perform at a high level can take a disastrous toll on athletes at all levels in the forms of anorexia, bulimia, low self-esteem and poor self-image. To learn more about eating disorders in athletics visit Anred.com or click here to read about an athlete's personal experiences.
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