As athletes, gymnasts face many physical and mental challenges during their training and competitions. Striving for excellence often demands extreme dedication, discipline, and perseverance. While athletes need to maintain optimal physical health, gymnasts are especially vulnerable to the pressures of achieving the perfect physique, performing complex routines, and meeting external expectations.
During Eating Disorder Awareness Week, it is important to address the intersection between eating disorders and gymnastics. This blog post will explore the challenges gymnasts face related to eating, the potential impact on mental health, and how to promote a healthy approach to nutrition and body image in the gymnastics community. Let’s break down some of the most important issues gymnasts experience when it comes to their relationship with food and how we can begin a creating positive change for all gymnasts.
Eating disorders are serious medical conditions related to abnormal and persistent eating behaviors that negatively impact physical and mental health and the ability to function in all different areas of life.
These disorders can impact individuals of all genders, ages, races, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, body shapes, and sizes. The underlying causes of eating disorders are often far more complex than just a focus on food. In the United States, approximately 28.8 million people will experience an eating disorder at some point in their lives, with the average starting age between the ages of 11 and 12.
Unfortunately, athletes—particularly those in aesthetic sport, face a higher risk of developing eating disorders. Gymnastics, in particular, has had a long-standing relationship with eating disorders. A 2009 study of female college athletes across all sports found that around 2% were clinically diagnosed with an eating disorder, while 25% showed disordered eating behaviors. Among aesthetic athletes, such as gymnasts, the rate of disordered eating behaviors nearly doubled. What's even more alarming is that the prevalence of eating disorders and disordered eating is often significantly under reported, meaning that a much larger percentage of gymnasts—potentially as high as 50-65%—are likely struggling with these issues.
Why is the Sport of Gymnastics a Breeding Ground for Eating Disorders?
Gymnastics, like many aesthetic sports, can place an overwhelming emphasis on a gymnast’s body shape, size, and appearance. In a sport where flexibility, size, and leanness are often glorified, athletes can feel pressured to meet an unrealistic standard of physical appearance, sometimes at the expense of their health. These standards can foster a toxic environment, where performance and aesthetics are prioritized over well-being.
There are so many stereotypes in the sport of gymnastics that are built on assumptions and folk-lore.
"Gymnasts have to be small."
"Lighter girls fly higher."
"You need to have a gymnast body."
Focus on Aesthetics and Weight
The demands of gymnastics often place a large emphasis on a gymnast's appearance, with many coaches, peers, and even the athletes themselves equating thinness or visible muscles with success. This weight-centric mindset can encourage unhealthy dieting practices and lead to an obsessive focus on food, body image, and caloric intake. In fact, gymnasts at a young age are frequently told that a lean body will enhance their performance, leading them to believe that losing weight or achieving a “perfect” physique will make them better athletes.
Gymnasts are also often compared to each other, on and off the competition floor, by their coaches, by parents, on social media, and eventually in their own minds. Many will start to view others' bodies, weight and performance as the ideal body and comparing that to what we see in our own bodies. For many, it is easy to compare their own body to that of a teammate, competitor, someone on social media, or well-known gymnast, and believe their body is the ideal gymnast body and ours is not. This comparison can be perpetuated by teammates and coaches who may praise another gymnast for their fitness level, beautiful lines, performance, or strong "self-discipline" with food and/or exercise.
Pressure for Perfection
Gymnastics is an unforgiving sport where perfection is expected. Every routine must be flawless, and athletes are often criticized for minor errors. This constant pursuit of perfection can extend beyond performance, influencing how gymnasts view their bodies. As they strive to perfect their routines, they may also begin to fixate on their physical appearance, leading to unhealthy behaviors like restricting calories, excessive exercise, or purging to achieve the “ideal “body type.
Role of Social Media and Peer Comparison
In today’s digital age, social media is both a blessing and a curse for young athletes. On one hand, it provides an opportunity to connect with others, celebrate accomplishments, and inspire athletes around the world. On the other hand, it can increase their feelings of inadequacy and fuel disordered eating behaviors. Gymnasts may look at perfectly curated Instagram feeds or TikTok videos of other athletes, comparing their bodies, skills, or success. The constant exposure to "ideal" images can make it easy for athletes to feel that they are not thin enough, strong enough, or skilled enough.
This comparison culture doesn’t just exist online but is often present within the gymnastics gym. Coaches and peers may unintentionally (or intentionally) compare gymnasts to each other, highlighting one athlete’s lean physique or high performance over another’s. This can subconsciously create competition that focuses on physical appearance rather than on skill or improvement. Gymnasts may begin to see themselves only in comparison to others, contributing to body dissatisfaction and unhealthy behaviors to match a perceived standard of “success.”
Limited Education on Nutrition and Body Health
Many gymnasts lack proper education on nutrition and the importance of fueling their bodies for optimal performance. Without understanding the role of food in their physical and mental well-being, athletes may turn to restrictive diets, online wellness accounts, or extreme behaviors that can negatively impact their health. Coaches and parents may not always have the knowledge to address disordered eating when it begins to surface.
What's the truth?
A gymnast will never perform their best or reach their full potential under-fueled
Under fueling (resulting from an eating disorder, disordered eating, or unintentionally) can not only impact performance; it can have an effect on every single organ and system in the body, including:
The heart and cardiovascular system
Digestion and the GI system
The brain and mental health
Hormones, endocrine system, growth and development
Bones
Tendons, ligaments, and muscles
Overall energy, body composition, and metabolism
There is no such thing as a perfect gymnast body (or perfect body in general). As a gymnast of any level, a gymnast's body can perform incredible skills and does need to be like someone else's in order to be successful. Gymnasts come in all shapes and sizes (just watch any NCAA meet)!
All bodies are meant to be different, and that is normal. Additionally, bodies are meant to change, grow, and adapt. It is unrealistic to expect that a person will look the same at 10 years old as they will at 13, 16, 18, 21, and beyond.
What are the Differences Between Eating Healthy as a High-Level Athlete, Disordered Eating, and an Eating Disorder?
As an athlete, we know that nutrition does play an important role in performance, recovery, and overall longevity in sport. However, it's important to understand the distinctions between eating healthy as an athlete and fueling for performance, disordered eating, and an eating disorder, as they each represent different levels of concern and impact on physical and mental health.
Eating Healthy as a High-Level Athlete
Healthy eating for athletes focuses on fueling the body for peak performance, recovery, and long-term physical and mental health. It involves adequate, balanced nutrition—adequate carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals—to support intense training and energy needs. Athletes that fuel for performance and have a positive relationship with food can eat intuitively, prioritizing nourishment without obsessing over body image or restrictive dieting.
Key Characteristics:
Balanced meals that fuel performance
Focus on overall well-being, not just body size
Eating a variety of foods from all of the food groups (aside from those with a diagnosed medical reason)
Eating choices mostly influenced by hunger & fullness cues, performance nutrition strategy, food preferences, schedule, culture, and food availability
No food rules or fear foods
No guilt or shame surrounding food
Body acceptance and body trust
Disordered Eating
Disordered eating refers to irregular or unhealthy eating patterns that don’t meet the clinical criteria for an eating disorder but can still affect an athlete’s health and well being. This often includes occasional dieting or restrictive eating, obsessive thoughts about food or body image including guilt and shame, and occasional bingeing or compensatory behaviors like excessive exercise.
Key Characteristics:
Preoccupation with food, body image, or weight
Restricting or overly controlling food intake
Guilt or shame surrounding eating behaviors
Having a list of "food rules" to try to adhere to
Occasionally engaging in diet behaviors, including clean eating, counting calories or macros, intermittent fasting, or any fad diet (like keto, Whole30, etc.)
Limiting certain foods or food groups (like going gluten free or cutting out dairy) beyond medical necessity
Food choices are often influenced by others, including diet culture, sport culture, or social media
Exercising beyond the training plan, especially to burn calories or influence body shape or size
Being overly worried about food quality or how food was prepared (especially with food made outside the home or at a restaurant)
Categorizing foods as "good" or "bad" (and noticing a change in mood or emotions that go along with that)
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are serious, clinically diagnosed conditions involving extreme disruptions in eating habits and unhealthy preoccupation with weight, food, and body image. Common eating disorders include anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder. These conditions can lead to severe physical and emotional health consequences and require professional treatment.
Key Characteristics:
Extreme restrictions, bingeing, or purging behaviors
Distorted body image and fear of gaining weight
Serious mental and physical health consequences
Extremely rigid with food rules
Extremely limited in safe foods
Cycles of restricting and/or binging, with or without purging
Over-exercising, even through an injury or illness
The most common eating disorders seen in gymnasts include:
Anorexia Nervosa
Characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight, severe restriction of food intake, and a distorted body image (regardless of weight, bmi, or body size)
Bulimia Nervosa
Characterized by episodes of binge eating followed by purging behaviors (such as vomiting, using laxatives, or excessive exercise)
Binge Eating Disorder
Characterized by episodes of eating large amounts of food (often even when they are not hungry) and feeling out of control around food, followed by feelings of shame, guilt, and distress
The main difference between disordered eating and eating disorders involves the severity and degree of the symptoms. Disordered eating frequently involves many of the same behaviors that occur in eating disorders, but such symptoms occur less frequently or less intensely.
This does not mean that disordered eating is not serious; disordered eating can often be more subtle, making it more difficult to recognize or, at times, more challenging to address. However, disordered eating can lead to the development of an eating disorder.
What Are the Warning Signs of Disordered Eating and Eating Disorders?
Recognizing disordered eating and eating disorders early is crucial for preventing long-term physical and mental health issues. Unfortunately, these disorders often remain hidden, as many athletes are reluctant to speak up due to shame or fear of judgment or don't feel they are "sick enough" to receive help. However, there are certain warning signs that can indicate an athlete is struggling.
1. Physical Changes
Rapid weight loss, weight gain, or noticeable changes in body size
Excessive fatigue or a lack of energy
Frequent illness due to a weakened immune system from inadequate nutrition
Hair loss or brittle nails
Loss of menstruation in female athletes (a condition known as amenorrhea)
GI troubles, changes in bathroom habits, bloating, or new food "sensitivities" that seem to have come out of nowhere
2. Behavioral Indicators
Obsessive focus on food, calorie or macro counting
Frequent comments about body image, weight, or appearance, such as “I feel fat” or “I need to lose weight”
Avoidance of social situations involving food, like team meals or family dinners
Excessive exercise beyond what is required for training, sometimes even after injury or illness
Use of diuretics, laxatives, or other substances to control weight
3. Psychological Red Flags
Preoccupation with food and weight to the point where it interferes with daily activities
Extreme fear of gaining weight, despite being at a healthy or low body weight
Depression, anxiety, or mood swings, which can stem from the psychological strain of maintaining disordered eating patterns
Guilt or shame after eating or when not meeting self-imposed dietary restrictions
Recognizing these signs early can make a significant difference in the recovery process. It is important to remember that while sometimes eating disorders or disordered eating will come with weight loss, the majority do not. An eating disorder does not have a look, and you don't have to be "sick enough" to get help. Eating disorders, specifically anorexia nervosa, have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. The earlier you can identify the signs and symptoms and intervene, the more likely recovery is possible.
The Impact of Disordered Eating and Eating Disorders on Gymnasts
Disordered eating and eating disorders can have severe consequences, not just for a gymnast’s physical health but also for their mental well-being and overall athletic performance. The long-term impact of these issues is often underestimated.
1. Physical Health Complications
Weakened bone density: Restricting calories or nutrient intake can result in osteoporosis or stress fractures, conditions that make gymnasts more susceptible to injuries.
Muscle loss and decreased strength: Inadequate nutrition can lead to a loss of lean muscle mass, reducing an athlete's strength and overall performance.
Heart problems and organ damage: In extreme cases, eating disorders like anorexia can lead to life-threatening complications, including heart failure and organ damage.
2. Mental and Emotional Consequences
Depression and anxiety: The constant pressure to maintain a specific body type can lead to long-term mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.
Body dysmorphia: Gymnasts struggling with disordered eating often develop a distorted view of their own bodies, seeing themselves as "too heavy" or "not good enough," even when their body is healthy.
Impaired self-esteem: Athletes may internalize the belief that their worth is directly tied to their appearance, leading to chronic dissatisfaction and a damaged sense of self-worth.
3. Athletic Performance
Reduced focus and concentration: The mental toll of struggling with an eating disorder can affect a gymnast's ability to focus during training and competition.
Decreased energy and endurance: Inadequate nutrition can result in a lack of energy, making it difficult for gymnasts to perform at their best during routines.
Increased risk of injury: The physical weakness associated with disordered eating—such as low bone density and muscle loss—puts gymnasts at greater risk of injuries that could end their careers prematurely.
Eating disorders and disordered eating are serious issues in gymnastics, yet they often remain hidden behind the desire of perfection. By recognizing the signs, understanding the unique pressures of the sport, and providing a supportive and compassionate environment, we can help gymnasts overcome these challenges and prioritize their health and well-being. It's time to break the silence and create a culture where athletes can thrive—mentally, emotionally, and physically—without sacrificing their health.
If you or someone you know is struggling with disordered eating or an eating disorder, you can find more information on The National Eating Disorders Association website.
Seeing a registered dietitian or therapist may be scary or feel unnecessary, but they can help you reflect on the root cause of comparison and body checking and help you develop a plan to reduce and stop these intrusive habits before they develop into further disordered eating and more severe eating disorders.
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