Tag: Eating disorders in sports

While hard data on overall athlete malnutrition is scarce and often underreported, studies reveal significant issues, including that up to 45% of female athletes and 19% of male athletes struggle with disordered eating or clinical eating disorders, a key contributor to malnutrition. This prevalence is even higher in specific sports, with one study showing rates as high as 42% in female high school athletes in aesthetic sports.

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.

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.