By Cristina Rivera,
February is National Eating Disorder Awareness month. The mission is to spread hope at every age for treatment and prevention of this illness. According to the CDC, 85% of eating disorders begin before the age of twenty. Diet related behaviors start as early as age 9, with a higher prevalence reported among adolescent athletes Statistic show that 35% of youth dieters engaging in these behaviors will eventually develop an eating disorder.
Athletes may try to restrict calories in an attempt to improve performance, fit in with peers, or as a result of pressure from coaches. Dieting at a young age can have negative consequences on physical and mental health, growth and development, and can impact performance both in school and on the field. Adolescents in particular are easily influenced, which makes this the most important time to develop a healthy relationship with food. Education geared toward athletes, parents, and coaches can provide the necessary tools to begin this process.
The Dangers of Dieting
* Inadequate calorie intake can lead to malnutrition, failure to thrive, bone disease, and hormonal imbalances
* Low calorie diets do not provide adequate energy for brain and cognitive function, which translates into an inability to concentrate, poor grades in school, and a decline in mental health
* Studies show that there is an actual loss of grey matter in the brain of an adolescent suffering from chronic energy restriction
* Athletes who do not eat enough calories perform worse on the field, have slower speed and reaction times, are at a greater risk of injury, and take more sick days due an inability to recover from strenuous workouts
* Cardiac arrhythmias and electrolyte imbalances from malnutrition and dehydration can lead to seizures, coma, or death
* Inadequate fat intake interferes with our body’s ability to make hormones needed for menstruation and development during puberty (amenorrhea is a common side effect)
* Inadequate Calcium and Vitamin D intake leads to bone diseases such as osteoporosis, which increase the risk of stress fracture
* Low Iron, B6, and B12 status can lead to anemia, which causes fatigue, hair loss, and a decreased ability to take in oxygen
Signs for coaches and parents
* Changes in mood and behavior (sudden onset of depression, inability to concentrate, irritability, or extreme fatigue)
* Decreased performance on the field, inability to recover from workouts, or injuries that will not heal
* Female athlete triad: inadequate calorie intake, amenorrhea, and osteoporosis in young females
* Social isolation from teammates, friends, or family
* Excessive or unnecessary exercise in addition to what is needed for training
* Obsession with food or counting calories
* Restriction of certain food or food groups (no carbohydrate, fear of fat, sudden change to vegetarian or vegan diets)
* Avoidance of team meals or other food related activities
What You Can Do
* Be aware that eating disorders do not discriminate and can affect all ages, weights, and genders
* Explain that health and fitness is not just about size or weight
* Provide education on food as fuel for sports performance
* Avoid labeling foods as “good” or “bad”
* Discuss what should be included in a well balanced diet rather than focusing on what to avoid or eliminate
* Teach and practice the concept of moderation
* Encourage realistic expectations regarding growth and development that occurs during adolescence
* Family and team involvement through promotion of positive body image and engaging in activities for building self esteem
* Be a good role model – whether you are a mentor, coach, or parent, children look up to you
* Know when to refer and reach out to guidance counselors, doctors, or registered dietitians if an issue is beyond your area of expertise
Nutrition In Motion, P.C.
President, Cristina Rivera MS, RD, CSSD, CDN
Registered Dietitian/ Board Certified Sports Nutritionist
361 Broadway Bethpage, NY 11714
300 Hempstead Tpke W. Hempstead, NY 11552
516-229-1486
www.topnutritionservices.com