Top sports stars suffer from eating disorders

More and more people who have reached the top of their profession are now feeling able to admit that they have suffered from eating disorders along the way. Racing driver David Coulthard is one such celebrity who has recently spoken openly to the press about the torment this condition has caused him.

"Eating disorders are more common than you might think" says Dr Jennifer Davis, Chartered Clinical Psychologist at The Huntercombe Hospital in Edinburgh. "Many people who work or train where body weight is a factor are susceptible. Professions in sport such as ballet dancers, gymnasts and horse jockeys are a few of the better known sports where eating disorders can develop".

Coultard's recent comments are the latest of a growing number of sportsmen and sportswomen who admit to have eating disorders. U.S. research has shown that people who exercise a lot are far more likely to have the disease.

Footballer Paul Gascoigne had an eating disorder. U.S. 2004 Olympic diver Kimiko Soldati has openly talked about her battle with bulimia and European cross country champion Sara Wedland has also talked about her anorexia.

"Training for any sporting event will undoubtedly place pressure on an athlete to achieve peak physical condition. For some, this will push them into over-exercising and eating disordered behaviours in the belief that these will help them to achieve the 'perfect' athlete's body to win", comments Dr Davis.

Sports per se do not cause eating disorders but it is recognised that athletes who participate in aesthetic sports e.g. gymnastics and weight category sports e.g. boxing have an increased risk of developing an eating disorder. Top U.S. gymnast Christy Henrich was told by an international competition judge in 1988 that she was too fat and needed to lose weight. Six years later, aged 22 she was dead from the complications of anorexia nervosa.

To discuss this whole issue, The Huntercombe Group has arranged a conference on 30th November at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh.

Date Posted: 07 Nov 2007 09:35

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