Experts and athletes: ‘Openness needed about eating disorders in elite sport’

The line is sometimes unclear: are you doing well in your sport, or are you heading towards disordered eating? Athletes who want to reach the top in particular run an increased risk of developing eating disorders. NOC*NSF is the umbrella organisation for all sports federations in the Netherlands. This organisation is drawing attention to the risk of eating disorders in a new campaign, encouraged by its Athletes’ Commission (Atletencommissie). Vigilance is needed in the combat sports as well. Among athletes, but certainly also among coaches and parents.

Because of the taboo that still surrounds this subject, help often only arrives at a late stage. NOC*NSF is drawing attention to this in a campaign aimed at elite athletes. The Nederlandse Vechtsportautoriteit (VA, the Dutch combat sports authority) has been doing the same for some time through the campaign Gezond op gewicht (Healthy weight management).

The experts of the elite sport organisation TeamNL convey the same message as the VA campaign: ‘Together with the athlete and all professional support staff, we must have the conversation about the risks and the early warning signs. Having an eating disorder has a major impact on your sporting career and ultimately on your entire life. The road back is long and not always easy.’ The Athletes’ Commission of NOC*NSF, made up of elite athletes themselves, is also drawing attention to the risk of eating disorders.

The VA campaign Gezond op gewicht focuses on the practice of ‘making weight’ by competitive athletes. This can be done in a healthy and sensible way. It can also be done unwisely. A poor ‘weight cut’ can create serious health risks. These can be acute problems, such as organ failure, but also long-term problems, such as eating disorders and depression. On the page Gezond op gewicht on this site you will find more information about a healthy way to reach your competition weight.

Do you need help, or would you like to talk to someone about this? Then discuss it with your coach, a dietician, a (sports) physician or your general practitioner.

If you would rather talk to someone else, you can contact a confidential counsellor for combat sports (vertrouwenscontactpersoon). They can listen to your story and then discuss with you who is best placed to give you expert advice or tailored help.