Are there health and performance consequences of disordered eating?

Inappropriate eating practices can have detrimental effects on sports performance. In addition to the direct impairment of physiological and psychological function, DE can increase the risk of illness and injury, compromise training quality and consistency and indirectly interfere with competition goals.

When starved of energy, the body responds by reducing its metabolic rate. Since the human brain operates at a very high metabolic rate, and uses a substantial portion of total energy and nutrient intake, the brain is particularly vulnerable to inadequate fuel for its brain function. A person with DE may struggle to make decisions, solve problems and regulate their emotions. Restricted eating, malnourishment, and excessive weight loss can lead to changes in brain chemistry, resulting in increased symptoms of depression and anxiety.

All of these may affect the athlete’s performance, their ability to engage in day-to-day tasks, their capacity for insight into problems associated with their eating, and their ability to engage with psychological treatments.