Tag: Anorexia athletica

Compulsive exercise affects up to 80% of people with anorexia nervosa, and while not an official diagnosis, is often associated with the unofficial term anorexia athletica. This raises a key question for athletes and fitness enthusiasts: **is anorexia athletica a disorder characterized by a compulsion to exercise**?

According to the National Eating Disorders Association, eating disorder rates among athletes are significantly higher than in the general population, with estimates ranging widely depending on the study. This wide variation makes determining the exact prevalence of anorexia athletica challenging, though specific data points highlight concerning trends within athletic communities.

While both are serious conditions involving restrictive eating and low body weight, a key difference is that anorexia athletica is specifically driven by a desire for improved athletic performance, while anorexia nervosa is primarily fueled by a fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image. Understanding how does anorexia athletica differ from anorexia nervosa is crucial for proper identification and treatment within the athletic community and beyond.