RJA #8a

Passage:

Proctor’s shocking story is not uncommon. An estimated one-third of female college athletes suffer from clinical eating disorders, says Paula Quatromoni, a Sargent College assistant professor of nutrition. The problem occurs less frequently among male athletes, but remains a scourge.“The demands of athletic training and peak performances, particularly in Division I collegiate sports, place athletes at an increased risk,” Quatromoni says. “The characteristics that make them exceptional athletes — a desire for perfection, an instinctual need to please — go hand-in-hand with eating disorders.”Anorexia and bulimia are illnesses that often coexist with emotional problems such as anxiety and depression, says sports psychologist Joanne Pomodoro (SSW’99). The struggle to manage practices, competitions, and academic demands can be overwhelming; some athletes turn to unhealthy tactics to regain a semblance of control. “Eating disorders are maladaptive coping mechanisms,” she explains. “Counting calories, restricting food intake, and monitoring the numbers on the scale are very tangible things.”

LINK: http://www.bu.edu/today/2009/12/16/athletes-and-eating-disorders

Quotation:

Eating disorders, such as, anorexia nervosa and bulimia are not unheard of in the United States. Often linked with emotional struggles, eating disorders are a rising concern among competitive athletes nation-wide. The athlete, a commonly idealized figure of strength, discipline, and endurance, can have a darker side in which they struggle to maintain the image of perfection we apply. Whether it be from coach, family, or society, the factors that play into making a great athlete can also lead to dangerous methods in weight loss. According to Quatromoni, an assistant professor of nutrition, "an estimated one-third of female college athletes...(struggle with) eating disorders,...'(and their) desire for perfection, an institutional need to please - go hand-in-hand with eating disorders.'" The heightened pressures placed on the athlete between the need to win and many other life factors develop into a high-risk atmosphere for the psychological desires to control weight and perfection through unhealthy means of disordered eating.

Paraphrase:

The story of Proctor is not unheard of. According to Paula Quatromoni, an assistant professor in nutrition at Sargent College, about a third of college female athletes struggle with an eating disorder. While less common in male athletes, it is still a problem. Highly competitive sports, especially with Division I schools, have many demands on their athletes placing an increased risk for these disorders. Quatromoni insists that the athlete's drive for perfection, one of the attributes making for an excellent competitor, tie in with the psychology of eating disorders. Sports psychologist, Joanne Pomodoro, says common disorders, such as, anorexia and bulimia are often linked with psychological disorders, such as, depression and anxiety. The battle in managing the many aspects of the athlete's life can be a lot to handle, leaving many in attempts to regain control through unhealthy means. These disorders are tactics for handling stress, and strategies, such as, counting calories and/or restricting, are physical ways to get some control.

Summary:

Eating disorders are not uncommon in athletes. Especially in highly competitive schools, the pressures placed on athletes between practices, training, school, and other life demands are a lot to handle. This easily places them at a higher risk for falling prey to eating disorders, such as, anorexia and bulimia. While these disorders often go hand-in-hand with psychological problems of depression or anxiety, the desire to win and be the best can be very overwhelming. In turn, some athletes may turn to eating disorders to regain a sense of control.