Athletes & Eating Disorders

Athletes can present with a traditional eating disorder, such as anorexia or bulimia. In other cases, an athlete is not intending to change their body size, but nevertheless doesn’t consume the necessary nutrition to fuel their high activity level. In such cases, an athlete may be diagnosed with Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) (previously labelled Female Athlete Triad), which can affect their metabolic rate, menstrual function, bone health, immunity, protein synthesis and cardiovascular health.

Unlike the Female Athlete Triad, RED-S affects athletes of all genders. RED-S and other eating disorders in athletes not only affects their performance, but can have serious medical and mental health implications. These athletes require close monitoring from medical and nutrition professionals in addition to collaborative support from a trained eating disorder therapist.

The Bucks ESC providers who specialize in working with athletes are not only clinically trained to work with this population, they also have personal experience in the world of sports, some as young athletes and others as coaches as well.