WHAT IS ANOREXIA ATHLETICA?
While Anorexia Athletica has not yet been formally recognized by the standard mental health diagnostic manuals, it is often used in mental health literature to describe a disorder characterized by excessive and obsessive exercise often accompanied by calorie restriction. While it can exist in the general population, Anorexia Athletica is most common amongst athletes, especially elite athletes competing in sports that emphasize leanness. Other terms sometimes used to describe this condition include Compulsive Exercising, Sports Anorexia, and Hypergymnasia. |
HEALTH CONSEQUENCES
There are many health consequences associated with Anorexia Athletica. Deficits in micronutrients as a consequence of inadequate energy intake; increased risk for cardiovascular disease and endocrine abnormalities caused by long-term dieting; skeletal abnormalities including failure to reach peak bone mass, decreased bone density, scoliosis, and stress fractures as a result of hypoestrogenism in female athletes are just a few of the most common adverse health effects caused by Anorexia Athletica.
The “Female Athlete Triad” is a term used to refer specifically to three health problems found in female athletes struggling with Anorexia Athletica. These three problems include: low energy availability/eating disorders, menstrual irregularities/amenorrhea, and bone loss/osteoporosis.
There are many health consequences associated with Anorexia Athletica. Deficits in micronutrients as a consequence of inadequate energy intake; increased risk for cardiovascular disease and endocrine abnormalities caused by long-term dieting; skeletal abnormalities including failure to reach peak bone mass, decreased bone density, scoliosis, and stress fractures as a result of hypoestrogenism in female athletes are just a few of the most common adverse health effects caused by Anorexia Athletica.
The “Female Athlete Triad” is a term used to refer specifically to three health problems found in female athletes struggling with Anorexia Athletica. These three problems include: low energy availability/eating disorders, menstrual irregularities/amenorrhea, and bone loss/osteoporosis.