Eating disorders do not discriminate between gender, age, socioeconomic status, ability, race, or ethnicity. There are, however, some specific risk factors related to sport participation.
One risk factor is participating in a sport that emphasizes a thin body, a particular size or shape, or weight. These sports typically have a weight class requirement, judge performance based on appearance, or carry the belief that being thinner creates a biomechanical or competitive advantage. Some of these sports include running, swimming, gymnastics, weightlifting, wrestling, figure skating, rowing, equestrian, and speed skating.
Just because you are involved in one of these sports does not mean you are going to fall victim to an eating disorder. It means awareness of the risk and preventative measures should be considered, especially during more vulnerable times in an athlete's life.
The onset of an eating disorder is more prevalent between ages 13 and 14, and again between 17 and 18. These are often the times when an athlete faces significant change and transition, including body and hormonal changes, increased training load, increased pressure to perform, and a higher level of competition. Awareness and support during those transitions is particularly important, both to prevent an eating disorder and to catch one early.
Finally, it is important to note that sport itself is not an inherent risk factor. Some people develop an eating disorder without any sport involvement, due to other biological, psychological, and social factors. So let me state clearly: participating in sport should not be avoided. Sport enriches people with strength, speed, coordination, endurance, increased self-esteem, identity development, healthy competition, and teamwork.
What should be avoided are the other contributing factors: dieting, weight stigma, perfectionism, untreated mental health challenges, and social isolation.