Running and Eating Disorders
It begins with a passion, a want for something more. It feels like the strive for speed is an addiction. You lose yourself in the desire for improvement.
Runners are at a higher risk of eating disorders.
Do you find yourself struggling to take rest days? Is the thought of not working out after finding out about an injury, leading you down a spiral? Are you caught in the anxiety of how to fuel yourself for races and feel you can never seem to get it right?
I have been there.
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Runners tend to have strong characteristics that make them thrive in a competitive environment. These include, being achievement-oriented, sensitive to consequences, high attention to detail, and a high pain tolerance. These characteristics are also traits that allow an eating disorder to thrive.
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Most individuals are exposed to societal and cultural pressure regarding weight. This can be further emphasized in running due to pressures to fit into the team culture, as well as myths such as thin=faster. (Secrets out, it is a myth for a reason!)
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Revealing uniforms have been shown to increase stress around one’s body and decrease body esteem. Along with body image concerns, a high conflict relationship between a coach and an athlete is associated with increased eating concerns.
Why are running and eating disorders so connected?
REDs
What is REDs?
Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport
REDs was an expansion of the Female Athlete Triad. It shows how low energy availability (LEA) can impact both females and males, highlighting the different impacts that LEA can have on both health and performance in sport.
Below is a diagram of how REDs interferes with the different parts and systems in our body.
REDs Conceptual Models for Health and Performance
Mountjoy et al. 2023
Whether you are struggling with an eating disorder or struggling to fuel your body for the amount of running you are doing, if can be harmful and dangerous towards different parts of your body.
Health Impacts
Performance Impacts
Mental Health
The brain is fueled by carbs. When we are not fueling our bodies enough, mood is one of the first things to be impacted. Ever heard of being HANGRY?
You may notice more anxiety or/and depression, as well as isolation from teammates.
Increased impatience and difficulty getting along with others.
Rigidity around food, workouts, rest days often comes into play, making the flexibility and unknowns of being an athlete a bit difficult!
Professional Runners Who Have Struggled