NEDA TOOLKIT for Coaches and Trainers
Factors that put athletes at risk for eating disorders
Listed below are recognized risk factors to be watchful for in the athletic environment:
Personal factors that may create risk for an
athlete Specific sports that can create risk for
developing an eating disorder
• Inaccurate belief that lower body weight will
improve performance. In fact, under-eating can
lead the athlete to lose too much muscle and bone
tissue, resulting in impaired performance.
• Imbalance between energy input and output
resulting in weight loss. This is especially a risk for
athletes who burn high levels of energy in their
sport, such as distance runners.
• Athletes with perfectionism, unreasonably high
standards for themselves, a history of depression
or anxiety, and/or a family history of eating
disorders. • The risk of disordered eating increases when a
coach employs a “win at all costs” approach rather
than emphasizing skill development.
• Performance anxiety and fear of failure. Athletes
who feel they are not performing at their
peak capability may turn to altering their body
compositions to bridge the gap. If no improvement
in performance results, they may believe they
didn’t lose enough weight or body fat and they may
step up their efforts even more.
• Social influences, including family and peer/
teammate pressure about athletic ability and
performance. • Inadequate intake relative to energy output.
Especially in growing teen and young adult athletes,
energy needs can be very high, which requires
planning on the part of the coach, the athlete, and
his/her family to make sure energy needs are met.
• Gymnastics, swimming, diving, rowing, body
building and wrestling, because athletes must
“make weight” or maintain a certain body size to
stay competitive.
• Aesthetic or endurance sports such as gymnastics,
figure skating, dance, swimming, diving, cross-
country or track and field, because they focus on
appearance and on the individual rather than on
the entire team.
• Multiple team or sport participation without
adequate recovery time and/or fueling
opportunities. • Eating disorders can develop in any genetically
predisposed person playing any sport, especially
when they go through periods of negative energy
balance (inadequate fueling for activity).
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