Eating disorders in athletes: overview of prevalence, risk factors and recommendations for prevention and treatment.
The prevalence of disordered eating and eating disorders vary from 0-19% in male athletes and 6-45% in female athletes. The objective of this paper is to present an overview of eating disorders in adolescent and adult athletes including: (1) prevalence data; (2) suggested sport- and gender-specific risk factors and (3) importance of early detection, management and prevention of eating disorders. Additionally, this paper presents suggestions for future research which includes: (1) the need for knowledge regarding possible gender-specific risk factors and sport- and gender-specific prevention programmes for eating disorders in sports; (2) suggestions for long-term follow-up for female and male athletes with eating disorders and (3) exploration of a possible male athlete triad.
a Department of Sport and Outdoor Life Science , Telemark University College , Bø , Norway.
Solfrid
S
Bratland-Sanda
Jorunn
J
Sundgot-Borgen
D056352:Athletes / Q000523:psychology*; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors