Relationships Between Disordered Eating, Body Dissatisfaction, and Low Energy Availability in Women Collegiate Athletes.

Summary: Female college athletes face a lot of pressure about their bodies and their performance. This study looked at 115 women playing different sports to see if they were eating enough, had eating disorders, or felt bad about their bodies. The results were surprising! While 64% of the athletes were not getting enough energy from their food, only 8% actually had an eating disorder. However, over 80% were unhappy with their body weight or shape. Because actual eating disorder rates were so low, the researchers think many athletes simply don't realize they aren't eating enough to fuel their bodies. The study suggests that athletes need better nutrition education and mental support to stay healthy and perform at their best.