Disordered Eating and Eating Disorders in Adolescent Athletes

Abstract

CONTEXT To summarize available literature to date and discuss the importance of Disordered Eating (DE) in adolescent athletes, with special attention to the female athlete triad. In this paper, the authors will review the literature regarding adolescent athletes who intentionally engage in abnormal eating behaviors and focus on adolescent athletes of all training levels who may be affected by both DE and eating disorders (ED). METHODS In 2019, the authors completed a systematic literature search on PubMed using the search term variations of “Feeding and Eating Disorders” and “athletes” with “high school.” RESULTS A total of 20 pertinent articles were identified concerning DE in adolescent athletes. ED have been shown to impose higher rates of comorbidity than other psychological disorders and only a small number of individuals with ED seek treatment. ED tend to be more prevalent in adolescent elite athletes than non-athletes of both genders in all sports and levels of competition. CONCLUSIONS More rigorous tools for family practice physicians, nurses, and coaches to use when working with at-risk adolescent athletes are needed to identify DE behaviors. Healthcare and school professionals need to be educated and trained to detect DE and the components of the female athlete triad. Additional research with adolescent males or those associating with alternative gender roles is also required to help them prevent physical and mental health consequences associated with DE.