Preventing eating disorders among young male and female elite athletes

Abstract

Many athletes struggle with disordered eating or eating disorders (ED) as they attempt to conform to demands or competition regulations that might be ill-suited to their physique. In this situation, participation in sports may lead to an array of health concerns that may adversely affect the athlete’s short and long-term health at a variety of performance levels and sports. The peak onset of ED is adolescence, when most athletic participation and competition takes place and athletes begin to focus on a particularly sport. For athletes, the biological changes occurring during adolescence might affect not only attitudes toward weight and shape, but also performance. To prevent the medical and psychological consequences related to ED, early intervention and identification is important.

Paper I: Martinsen M, Sundgot-Borgen J. Higher prevalence of eating disorders among adolescent elite athletes than controls. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 2013: 45(6):1188- 1197.

Paper II: Martinsen M, Bahr R, Børresen R, Holme I, Pensgaard AM, Sundgot-Borgen J. Preventing eating disorders among young elite athletes: A randomized controlled trial. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 2014: 46(3):435-447.

Paper III: Martinsen M, Sherman RT, Thompson RA, Sundgot-Borgen J. Coaches’ knowledge and management of eating disorders: A randomized controlled trial. On request, revised and resubmitted with minor changes to Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.

Paper IV: Martinsen M, Holme I, Pensgaard AM, Torstveit KM, Sundgot-Borgen J. The development of the brief eating disorder in athletes questionnaire. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 2014: 46(8):1666-1675.