Eating Disorder Research

According to several studies, about 2% to 3% of female college athletes have full-fledged, diagnosable eating disorders, about the same as the general population. Christy Henrich, the former world-class gymnast died at age 22 in 1994 from multiple-organ failure resulting from anorexia.  At the point of her death, she weighed less than 50 pounds. Cross country runners who run at 70 miles a week are reported to be surviving with one carrot per meal. Then, there are those who would do team practice for three hours a day before going for another three hours on personal training. Strangely, an athlete with an eating disorder does not see food as fuel that will help her with energy in sports.  She sees it as calories and fat. Any excess has to be purged.