Disordered Eating and Eating Disorders in Aquatic Sports

Abstract

Disordered eating behavior (DE) and eating disorders (EDs) are of great concern because of their associations with physical and mental health risks and, in the case of athletes, impaired performance. The syndrome originally known as the Female Athlete Triad, which focused on the interaction of energy availability, reproductive function, and bone health in female athletes, has recently been expanded to recognize that Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) has a broader range of negative effects on body systems with functional impairments in both male and female athletes. Athletes in leanness-demanding sports have an increased risk for RED-S and for developing EDs/DE. Special risk factors in aquatic sports related to weight and body composition management include the wearing of skimpy and tight-fitting bathing suits, and in the case of diving and synchronized swimming, the involvement of subjective judgments of performance. The reported prevalence of DE and EDs in athletic populations, including athletes from aquatic sports, ranges from 18 to 45% in female athletes and from 0 to 28% in male athletes. To prevent EDs, aquatic athletes should practice healthy eating behavior at all periods of development pathway, and coaches and members of the athletes' health care team should be able to recognize early symptoms indicating risk for energy deficiency, DE, and EDs. Coaches and leaders must accept that DE/EDs can be a problem in aquatic disciplines and that openness regarding this challenge is important.

Nutrition for Swimming

“…PAR = physical activity record. bolic rate, hormonal disturbances, menstrual dysfunction, suboptimal bone health, and an increased risk of illness and injury Melin et al, 2014). Recently, a study highlighted the impact of a low energy availability specifically on swimmers (VanHeest et al, 2014).…”

“…These populations should be targeted for sound professional advice regarding the setting and achievement of long-term goals for ideal physique. The problem of disordered eating and eating disorders within aquatic sports is covered in more detail by Melin et al (2014).…”

Nutritional needs in the professional practice of swimming: a review

“…Occasionally, the high training volume results in below adequate energy intake for the swimmer to maintain adequate energy balance, with intake that can reach the 2400 kcal/day on extreme training periods 15 . It is worth mentioning here, that energy deficits maintained for long periods of time, could result in decreased basal metabolic rate, cause alterations in hormonal functions, disrupt menstrual cycles in women, as well as increase the risk of injury and disease 16 , 17 . It has recently been found that high level female swimmers who experience menstrual dysfunctions show a decrease in thyroid hormones and growth factors, coupled with a decrease in speed in the 400-m test after a 12-week training period 18 .…”

Does Disordered Eating Impair the Performance of Female Swimmers in 100m and 200m Freestyle Races?

“…De acordo com Melin et al 26 , o comportamento alimentar do tipo restritivo pode ter estreita relação com o desempenho esportivo, corroborando os achados do bloco 1 do primeiro e segundo modelo de regressão hierárquica. Os resultados apontaram que 13% e 10% da variância do desempenho nas provas dos 100m e 200m livre, respectivamente, foi explicada pela subescala "Dieta" do EAT-26.…”