Tag: Athlete mental health

Studies suggest that female athletes are at a significantly higher risk of developing eating disorders than the general population. Among these, Anorexia Nervosa is a critical type of eating disorder that can develop in female athletes, driven by intense pressures to maintain a specific body shape for perceived performance gains or aesthetic ideals.

According to research published by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) affects a significant portion of athletes across various sports. Navigating how to recover from REDs requires a multifaceted approach that addresses the underlying energy imbalance and its widespread health consequences, from bone density issues to hormonal disruption.

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**?