Women Athletes & Anorexia
Last week I talked a little bit about exercise addiction which is also clinically referred to as activity anorexia which is also very similar to anorexia. Either of these can be triggered not only through diet but also excessive exercise. They both include a decrease in food intake which leads to an increase in physical activity and an increase in activity leads to a continued decrease of food. Although anorexics don’t always exercise incessantly women with anorexia who are in constant motion seem elated, do not feel fatigue, and diet without experiencing hunger. This is very similar to a phenomenon called runners high. Endogenous opiates in the brain leave runners feeling effortless and without fatigue.
Who’s at risk for developing anorexia
Anorexia is more frequently found in athletes or professions that require thinness, such as modeling or ballet. Others athletes at risk include, gymnastics, figure skating, swimming and distance running. These are the athletes (who) tend to be highly competitive, high achieving, and self disciplined individuals; who go to great lengths to excel in their sports. This personality type combined with the expectations of team mates and coaches as well as the spectators may make them at a higher risk of developing an eating disorder than the average person. However, it is very difficult to identify athletes with eating disorders. They are often secretive or concerned about what the perception might be from their coaches, parents and friends.
Some of the research
A 1999 NCAA study found more than half the Division I college female athletes surveyed were diagnosed with some kind of eating disorder. After a knee injury in 1997 one of the University of Connecticut’s star basketball players, Shea Ralph struggled with anorexia because she was afraid to gain weight. At six feet her weight got down to 108 pounds. Julie Palmer, who trained Ohio State University students in aerobics and performed as an OSU cheerleader, was diagnosed with anorexia at around 90 pounds. And in 1995 cross country-runner, Whitney Spannuth from Vanderbilt, almost didn’t make it to the Olympics.
Although the numbers may not be as significant as cancer, heart disease, or AIDS, the media’s portrayal of anorexia nervosa seemingly indicates that it’s a serious matter. The numbers of women in the general population with anorexia nervosa is approximately 1% and the NCAA numbers indicate that nearly half the Division I college female athletes are diagnosed with some kind of eating disorder. These are alarming numbers.
Diagnostic criteria
•Body weight < 85% of expected weight
•Intense fear of gaining weight
•Undue emphasis on body shape or weight
•Amenorrhea for three consecutive months
Eating disorders are
An adaptive function that inappropriately comforts, soothes, nurtures, numbs,sedates, distracts, gets attention, cried for help, controls environment and others, gives structure and identity, discharges tension, relieves anger, rebels, punishes self and body, cleanses of purifies self, creates a large or underdeveloped body for protection, avoids intimacy, avoids responsibilities of life, and/or to prove “I’m bad” instead of blaming others.
If you think you have an eating disorder it’s imperative that you get help! Eating disorders lead to numerous health problems. This is a serious problem.
If you need help please contact me: drmichelle@drmichellecleere.com
In good health
Dr. Michelle
