Disordered Eating Center

Contrary to popular belief, eating disorders are not limited to classic eating disorders (anorexia and bulimia), but occur on a spectrum ranging from calorie, protein and/or fat restriction and weight control measures (diet pills, laxatives, excessive, compulsive exercise in addition to normal training regimen, self-induced vomiting) to full-blown anorexia and bulimia. Eating disorders can have life-altering health effects, up to and, unfortunately, including death.

While male athletes can develop eating disorders, they are much more common among female athletes, particularly in sports such as gymnastics and figure skating, where a thin appearance is considered important.

MomsTeam is committed to the goal of reducing the incidence of eating disorders in youth sports, but do that we are going to need your help. If you are a parent of a child who has or has had an eating disorder , or you are an expert in this subject, we hope you will share what you have learned with the MomsTeam community. Please consider writing a blog, contributing an article, posting on and/or hosting a Forum, or becoming our expert on eating disorders in youth sports. If you know of someone who who has knowledge to share, ask him or her to join. Together we can make MomsTeam a leading resource on eating disorders in youth sports and how to prevent so many of our sons, and particularly our daughters, from developing them.

--Brooke de Lench, MomsTeam Founder and Editor-in-Chief

Featured Articles

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Eating Disorders: College Athletes At Increased Risk [6]

As college freshmen across the U.S. return home for the holidays, thousands of parents will - for the first time - discover eating disorders that developed during their child's first semester.

Read more » [6]
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Eating Disorders in Athletes:Pressure to Win from Parents and Coaches And Appearance Expectations Play Role [7]

Parents, coaches and trainers should criticize athletes less, praise them more, reduce pressure to win and on appearance to reduce risk of eating disorders.

Read more » [7]
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Disordered Eating in Gymnastics [8]

In 1992, the American College of Sports Medicine first recognized that girls and women in sports were particularly susceptible to three interrelated conditions - disordered eating, menstrual irregularity, and osteoporosis - that have come to be known as the "female athlete triad."

Read more » [8]
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For Athletes in Weight-Sensitive Sports: Food for Thought [9]

It's no secret that disordered eating practices are common among weight-conscious athletes. A top sports dietitian has some helpful tips for making weight healthfully.

Read more » [9]