A. Schek, Gießen
As in the general population, among athletes mainly women suffer from disturbed eating behaviour and eating disorders (anorexia and bulimia nervosa). Anorexia athletica is characterized by subnormal body weight (> 5 % below reference weight), excessive fear of weight increase, restricted food intake and gastrointestinal complaints. In a study in 522 Norwegian female top athletes and 448 control persons 5 % of the non-athletes and 18 % of the athletes have been found to show symptoms of disturbed eating behaviour.
The risk was greatest in esthetic, endurance and weight-class sports. 1.3 % of all athletes suffered from anorexia and 8 % from bulimia nervosa. These psychosomatic disorders must be treated in an interdisciplinary approach (psychotherapy, medical treatment, dietary counselling) to avoid the so-called athletic triad, i. e. the concomitant appearance of eating disorders (malnutrition), amenorrhoea and osteoporosis. In the case of anorexia athletica remissions are possible without medical interference. In predisposed individuals, however, athletic anorexia may change to manifest eating disorders. First indications of disturbed eating behaviour therefore must be interpreted correctly. Information is of primary importance. Athletes must be informed about the role an adequate diet meeting energy requirements plays for health and athletic performance. EU01/02
Keywords: Athletes / disturbed eating behaviour (anorexia athletica) / eating disorders (anorexia and bulimia nervosa )