A Psychological Perspective on Development of Eating Disorders in Female Athletes

Abstract

There is strong and consistent evidence that eating disorders are prevalent in sport. These illnesses lead to significant physical and psychological morbidity and impaired performances. Female athletes tend to be affected more than male athletes. This paper intends to reveal the development of eating disorders in female athletes and find associated variables with development of eating disorders in female athletes. It is important to note that both anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are determined by an interaction of many factors both personal and biological and social and cultural. Future studies are needed, especially to assess the direct effect of eating disorders on sport performance.