Eating Disorders on the Rise Among Teenage Athletes

Sport has become a high-pressure career path for many young people, with parents putting immense strain on their children to excel. This pressure, combined with poor diet and a focus on winning at all costs, has led to a significant rise in eating disorders among teenage athletes, experts warn. Dr. Sheelagh Rodgers, a psychologist and consultant to the English Institute of Sport, attributes the increase to the growing financial stakes in sponsorship and competition, with top athletes earning millions of pounds. Dr. Rodgers notes that parents are often unaware of the damage their criticism and pressure can cause, and that mistakes are also made by parents who try to change their child's diet without understanding their growing needs.

Key Takeaways:

• Nearly one-fifth of elite female athletes have an eating disorder, with tennis, swimming, gymnastics, and running being the most affected sports.
• Research has shown that there has been a significant rise in eating disorders among teenage athletes over the past five years, with Dr. Rodgers citing the growing financial stakes in sponsorship and competition as a key factor.
• Parents are often unaware of the damage their criticism and pressure can cause, and mistakes are made by parents who try to change their child's diet without understanding their growing needs.
• Eating disorders are a serious and life-threatening condition, with very few athletes willing to admit to having the problem.
• Jay Taylor, a 18-year-old netball and football player, spoke out about her experiences with anorexia, which began when she was 14 and left her weak, tired, and cold.
• The Eating Disorders Association reports that there are 1.15 million Britons suffering from eating disorders, with between 13 and 18 per cent of those who do not get treatment dying from their condition.
• Every year, 6,000 people are diagnosed with bulimia and anorexia in the UK.

Statistics:

• Nearly one-fifth of elite female athletes have an eating disorder.
• 13-18 per cent of those who do not get treatment for eating disorders die from their condition.
• 6,000 people are diagnosed with bulimia and anorexia in the UK every year.
• 1.15 million Britons are suffering from eating disorders.
• 5 runners out of 7 in the UK cross-country team at the Junior World Championships in 1996 had an eating disorder.
• Andy Murray earned over £300,000 in prize money alone this year, with Paula Radcliffe potentially earning £1 million in sponsorship bonuses had she run in this year's London Marathon.

Sources:

• "Press" article, exact date not specified
• Dr. Sheelagh Rodgers, psychological consultant to the English Institute of Sport
• Norwich Union Healthcare survey
• Eating Disorders Association report
• Jay Taylor's personal story