Promotion of Healthy Weight-Control Practices in Young Athletes

Abstract

Children and adolescents may participate in sports that favor a particular body type. Some sports, such as gymnastics, dance, and distance running, emphasize a slim or lean physique for aesthetic or performance reasons. Participants in weight-class sports, such as wrestling and martial arts, may attempt weight loss so they can compete at a lower weight class. Other sports, such as football and bodybuilding, highlight a muscular physique; young athletes engaged in these sports may desire to gain weight and muscle mass. This clinical report describes unhealthy methods of weight loss and gain as well as policies and approaches used to curb these practices. The report also reviews healthy strategies for weight loss and weight gain and provides recommendations for pediatricians on how to promote healthy weight control in young athletes.

Organized Sports for Children, Preadolescents, and Adolescents

“…151 Some athletes, especially those involved in weight-class sports (wrestling, boxing, weightlifting, and crew), aesthetic sports (gymnastics, dance, and figure skating), and endurance sports, may engage in unhealthy weight-control practices. 152,153 Wrestlers, in particular, report multiple potentially harmful weight-cutting measures, such as overexercising, prolonged fasting, restricting fluid intake, and dehydration techniques. 152,153 Methods of dehydration include saunas and steam baths; spitting; vomiting; use of laxatives, diuretics, and diet pills; and wearing rubber suits while exercising.…”

“…152,153 Wrestlers, in particular, report multiple potentially harmful weight-cutting measures, such as overexercising, prolonged fasting, restricting fluid intake, and dehydration techniques. 152,153 Methods of dehydration include saunas and steam baths; spitting; vomiting; use of laxatives, diuretics, and diet pills; and wearing rubber suits while exercising. 152,153 Male athletes are more likely to vomit or use laxatives or diet pills for weight loss, 99 but girls are at unique risk of developing the "female athlete triad," 154 dangerous because they lack regulatory oversight and have been frequently shown to be contaminated with steroids, stimulants, and other impurities.…”

“…152,153 Methods of dehydration include saunas and steam baths; spitting; vomiting; use of laxatives, diuretics, and diet pills; and wearing rubber suits while exercising. 152,153 Male athletes are more likely to vomit or use laxatives or diet pills for weight loss, 99 but girls are at unique risk of developing the "female athlete triad," 154 dangerous because they lack regulatory oversight and have been frequently shown to be contaminated with steroids, stimulants, and other impurities. 155 Although consumption of performance-enhancing substances for the purpose of improved appearance is common in adolescents in general, usage appears to be greater in the athletic population 156 to gain a performance advantage.…”

Differences in the Bodyweight, Hydration Levels, Lean Mass, and Fat Mass in Spanish Junior Elite Judokas

“…In relation to hydration, a difference must be established between hyperhydration and hypohydration. The term hypohydration refers to a state of suboptimal hydration, and dehydration describes the transition from a well hydrated a hypo hydrated state [25].…”

“…A state of dehydration leads to a decrease in strength, power, and endurance in high intensity exercises, thus negatively affecting thermoregulation and increasing body temperature and susceptibility to excess heat diseases [8]. Dehydrated athletes often experience cognitive changes and altered mental states [9,25]. A water loss of 2% body weight can compromise cardiorespiratory resistance and muscular function, thus affecting performance [8].…”