How many athletes have anorexia and why the statistics are concerning

December 4, 2025 •

3 min read

According to Eating Disorder Hope, approximately 2% of female athletes have anorexia nervosa, though this number is likely higher due to underreporting. This prevalence is compounded by the intense pressures and body image standards common in athletic environments, making athletes a particularly vulnerable population for this serious condition.

Quick Summary

Anorexia nervosa affects a significant number of athletes, especially women in leanness-focused sports, though accurate figures are hard to obtain. Factors like gender, sport type, and competitive pressure heavily influence the risk of developing this potentially life-threatening illness. The athletic environment, with its emphasis on weight and appearance, can exacerbate body image issues and promote disordered eating.

Key Points

Prevalence is Higher in Athletes: Research consistently shows that athletes are at a significantly higher risk for developing anorexia nervosa compared to the general population.
Female Athletes at Greater Risk: A stark gender disparity exists, with female athletes facing significantly higher rates of anorexia than their male counterparts, driven by societal and sport-specific pressures for thinness.
Sport Type Matters: Participation in aesthetic, weight-class, and endurance sports is a major risk factor due to intense pressure to achieve a lean physique or meet weight requirements.
Underreporting is a Major Issue: The actual number of athletes with anorexia is likely much higher than official statistics indicate due to a culture of secrecy, shame, and fear of consequences in the sporting world.
Pressure from Many Sources: Coaches, teammates, and media can create an environment that fosters body image dissatisfaction and disordered eating, increasing an athlete's vulnerability.
Early Detection is Critical: Early intervention, education, and access to professional support are essential for recovery and preventing long-term health and performance issues in athletes.

Prevalence of Anorexia in the Athletic Community

Reliable statistics on how many athletes have anorexia are difficult to establish definitively due to underreporting and the use of various assessment methods in studies. However, research consistently indicates that the prevalence of eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, is higher among athletes than in the general population.

General Statistics on Eating Disorders in Athletes

Studies show that up to 45% of female athletes and 19% of male athletes struggle with some form of eating disorder or disordered eating behavior.
A 2024 review found that among young European athletes, 14.9% of those surveyed showed a potential risk for developing an eating disorder.
An older but foundational Norwegian study found that 13.5% of elite athletes had an eating disorder, compared to only 4.6% of non-athletes.

Anorexia Nervosa Risk Factors in Athletes

The risk for developing anorexia is influenced by several factors, including the athlete's gender, age, and the specific sport they participate in. These factors create an environment where pressures related to weight, body composition, and appearance are magnified.

Gender Disparities: Female athletes face a disproportionately higher risk of developing anorexia and other eating disorders. Studies show that approximately 35% of female college athletes struggle with anorexia, compared to 10% of male college athletes. This can be attributed to societal and sport-specific pressures that place a strong emphasis on thinness and appearance for women.

Sport Type: Certain sports, particularly those where a lean physique or specific weight class is advantageous, are associated with a higher prevalence of anorexia. These include aesthetic sports like gymnastics, figure skating, and dance, as well as weight-class sports like wrestling and jockeying, and endurance sports such as distance running.

Increased Pressure: Competitive level also plays a role, with higher-level athletes often facing more intense pressure to manage their weight. One study of collegiate athletes found a concerning number of both Division I and III female athletes with body dissatisfaction, weight preoccupation, and bulimic symptoms. This pressure can come from coaches, teammates, and even the athletes themselves.

High-Risk Sports for Anorexia Nervosa

Sports with high risk

Aesthetic Sports: Sports judged on appearance, such as gymnastics, figure skating, and synchronized swimming, create immense pressure to maintain a lean, low body weight. This is a well-documented driver of eating disorders.
Weight-Class Sports: Disciplines like wrestling, boxing, and lightweight rowing require athletes to meet specific weight criteria. The process of rapid weight cutting, often involving severe calorie restriction and dehydration, can trigger or exacerbate disordered eating.
Endurance Sports: Distance runners and cyclists may feel pressure to achieve a low body mass to improve performance and minimize the gravitational load. This focus on leanness can lead to restrictive eating and anorexia nervosa.

Sports with moderate risk

Technical Sports: Sports like diving and high jump, where specific body control and form are key, can still involve weight and appearance concerns.
Ball Sports: While not typically considered lean sports, team dynamics, competitive pressure, and social media influence can still contribute to body image issues and disordered eating, particularly among younger and female players.

Comparison of High-Risk Sports and Gender

This table illustrates the varying levels of risk associated with different sport types and genders, highlighting the heightened vulnerability in certain demographics.


Sport Category	Anorexia Prevalence (Female)	Anorexia Prevalence (Male)	Risk Factors Involved
Aesthetic Sports	Up to 42% in elite competitors.	Lower, but pressure is present.	Emphasis on leanness, body composition, and subjective judging.
Weight-Class Sports	High, often involving rapid weight loss.	Significant risk due to pressure to 'make weight'.	Extreme, unhealthy weight control methods before competition.
Endurance Sports	Elevated risk due to focus on low body mass.	Present, though often underreported.	Pressure to minimize body weight for competitive advantage.
Team Sports	Lower prevalence compared to lean sports, but still present.	Lower prevalence, but rising concerns.	Less focus on leanness, but social and team-based pressure exists.

Conclusion

Understanding how many athletes have anorexia requires looking beyond simple statistics to the complex pressures inherent in the sports world. Studies reveal that athletes, particularly women and those in leanness-focused or weight-class sports, are at a significantly higher risk for anorexia nervosa than the general population. Factors like body image pressure from coaches, teammates, and the media exacerbate this risk, leading to underreporting and delayed diagnosis. It is critical that coaches, parents, and healthcare professionals receive better training to identify and address eating disorders proactively, creating a more supportive and healthy environment for all athletes. Resources from organizations like the National Eating Disorders Association can provide essential guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, multiple studies confirm that athletes are at a higher risk for anorexia and other eating disorders than non-athletes, primarily due to the intense focus on body weight, composition, and appearance in sports.

Sports with the highest risk for anorexia are typically those where a lean physique or specific weight is emphasized. These include aesthetic sports (gymnastics, figure skating), weight-class sports (wrestling, jockeying), and endurance sports (distance running).

Yes, male athletes also suffer from anorexia, though at a lower rate than female athletes. The issue is often underreported and sometimes manifests differently, such as focusing on increasing muscle mass.

Statistics vary by study and sport, but estimates show that approximately 2% of female athletes have anorexia nervosa, with risk figures for disordered eating sometimes reaching as high as 45%.

Intense training can increase anorexia risk by creating significant physical and psychological stress. Combined with pressure to perform and perceived ideals about body weight, this can lead to restrictive eating and other unhealthy coping mechanisms.

Statistics are often inaccurate due to several factors, including athletes' reluctance to disclose their struggles because of shame, fear of being cut from a team, or receiving inappropriate treatment. Different studies also use varying assessment methods, leading to a wide range of reported prevalence rates.

Yes, pressure from coaches and parents regarding an athlete's weight and appearance is a significant risk factor for developing an eating disorder. Educating these figures on promoting a positive body image is crucial for prevention.