It is estimated that 60% of female athletes struggle with having a healthy relationship with food along with over 30% of male athletes. Often athletes believe they should not ask for help because they should “be tough” and power through their injuries and want to continue competing. Many of these athletes do not get help because of fear, shame, and worry of being told they have to gain weight or to change their eating patterns that could inhibit their athletic performance.
In my experience as a sports dietitian I have worked with athletes and their families to understand why they are fearful of seeking help. Often, it is the fear of not being able to compete, gaining weight, losing their “appearance”, or even shame of the label “eating disorder.”
Oftentimes, these athletes just do not know what they do not know and they do not realize the true consequences of letting the eating disorder play out and saying, “I will get help after the season ends.”
Eating disorders are a mortality risk and often the highest cause of death if left untreated. Common eating disorders include bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, avoidant restrictive food intake, and anorexia nervosa, according to the National Institute of Health. Each of these disorders is commonly associated with overlapping symptoms. Eating disorders are more than food. Click here to learn more about each eating disorder.
Athletes are most at risk
Female athletes who overtrain may experience relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S). This occurs when a person doesn’t consume enough calories to provide the energy needed for their exercise levels.
RED-S can result in:
- Low energy, which can impact performance and increase the risk of injuries. Compromised immune function, leading to reduced ability to fight infections.
- Low levels of estrogen, which can interfere with normal menstrual periods and can damage long-term reproductive health as well as brain and heart function.
- Decreased bone mineral density. Poor bone density results in increased risk for broken bones.
- Gastrointestinal problems, such as bloating and constipation with a greater risk for depression and anxiety.
Signs of an eating disorder in an athlete:
- Weight loss: Weight loss can be a warning sign of disordered eating in an athlete, particularly in teens.
- Anxiety: Many people who develop eating disorders have symptoms of an anxiety disorder, such as perfectionistic thinking, social anxiety, or worry about feeling embarrassed or negatively evaluated by others.
- Mood change: Increased irritability is common, and athletes with eating disorders may also stop enjoying their sport.
- Change in food likes: Cutting out favorite foods or entire food groups. No longer eating with others/avoids eating with friends, family, or teammates.
- Training extra beyond workouts: Adding extra training to daily routine despite discouragement from coaches when rest and recovery was scheduled.
Resources:
- Professional help is the best place to start. Work with a registered dietitian who specializes in eating disorders, as well as your health care provider and a qualified mental health professional such as a psychiatrist or a psychologist.
- Resources for parents, screening tools, and more at NEDA
- The Emily Program offers therapists, dietitians, treatment and more.
- Find a treatment center for eating disorders HERE.
Schedule a free discovery call with a NWW Coach who can help direct you or your athlete on getting well.
Wendi A. Irlbeck, MS, RDN, LD, CISSN
How to help an athlete with disordered eating:
I encourage ALL parents, coaches, and teammates to take the focus off of weight and body shape. Create a positive environment for athletes to love the skin they are in without shame or fear. Athlete’s bodies are amazing! Especially female athletes who can run, jump, sprint, change directions quickly, birth babies and incredibly impressive resilience!
Blogs we provide that may be helpful for you and the female athlete:
- Gentle nutrition tips
- Food freedom
- Picky eating tips
- Tips for fueling the female athlete
- Iron deficiency and how to correct
- Tips for getting your period back
- Menstrual cycle nutrition
- Fueling the HS dance athlete and cheerleader
How to Support an Athlete You’re Concerned About
If you suspect an athlete may be struggling with an eating disorder or disordered eating, it is important to understand that this is not something a person can simply “get over.” Eating disorders are not a choice, a phase, or a sign of vanity.
They often develop as a response to:
Trauma or unresolved stress
A desire for control in an overwhelming environment
Anxiety, perfectionism, or other mental health challenges
Eating disorders are complex conditions involving neurological, genetic, and personality factors that are still being studied and not yet fully understood. For this reason, athletes need compassion, patience, and support—not criticism, pressure, or judgment.
Lead With Care, Not Performance
Encourage the athlete you care about to seek help by reminding them that their health comes first. Sport will always be there—but without health, participation and longevity are not possible.
Approach the conversation with empathy and reassurance. Focus on who they are as a person, not what they do as an athlete. For families and faith-based communities, it can be especially powerful to remind athletes that their identity is not rooted in sport or performance, but in Jesus Christ.
A supportive conversation may sound like:
“I’m worried about you—not because of how you’re performing, but because I care about you as a person. You don’t seem like your usual healthy, happy self, and I wanted to check in. That’s what people who care about you do. I want you to stay well enough to do the things you love, now and in the future.”
These conversations are not about forcing change. They are about opening the door to support and trust.
Professional Support Matters
My team and I work with male and female athletes who have struggled with food, body image, and fueling across a wide range of sports, including:
Cross country and track
Dance and gymnastics
Wrestling
Swimming
Soccer and lacrosse
Through education, coaching, and consistent support, we help athletes rebuild a healthy relationship with food and their bodies. Healing is not a quick process. It often takes years, not months, and requires the right resources and a safe, supportive environment.
In some cases, athletes need a higher level of care. During our screening process, we may refer individuals to inpatient treatment or additional providers if more support is needed. Ethical care means recognizing when an athlete needs more than we can provide alone.
It is critical to work with a Registered Dietitian who understands sports, adolescence, and eating disorders—and who can support both the athlete and the parent, coach, or guardian walking alongside them.
How Our Membership Can Help
If you are a parent, coach, or athlete who feels overwhelmed, unsure where to start, or afraid of saying the wrong thing, our sports nutrition membership was created to support you.
Inside the membership, you’ll find:
Athlete-centered education that removes fear and misinformation
Practical guidance for meals, snacks, and fueling without extremes
Supportive frameworks that prioritize health, performance, and long-term well-being
A compassionate, informed approach rooted in both science and real-life application
You do not have to navigate this alone. Early education and support can make a lasting difference—not just in performance, but in an athlete’s health, confidence, and future.
If you are looking for guidance you can trust, we would be honored to support you and your athlete inside the membership to offer the support needed!
The Nutrition with Wendi team utilizes evidence-based science to tailor nutrition programs for athletes to optimize performance, minimize health risks, and enhance recovery from training while focusing on injury prevention. We partner with parents, athletes, health professionals, and individuals and offer elite nutrition and health guidance for optimal athletic performance, injury, and disease reduction. We provide virtual sports nutrition coaching, education, and presentations virtually in Texas, Florida, California, Minnesota, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Arizona, and Michigan. We are based in Dallas, Texas but also work closely with teams and clients in the Nashville, Tennessee community. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for more nutrition information. Services booking here to consult with Wendi for a team talk or QA session.
Under-fueling without realizing it