Athletics Influence on Eating Disorders in the College Demographic

Abstract

Athletes feel a constant pressure to maintain an accepted physique while in the spotlight. The current study examined the role of social pressures on college athletes’ degree of conformity to norms related to body type and the thin-as-beautiful aesthetic. The purpose of our study is to increase the awareness of eating disorders in athletes and coaching staff. Given the stigma surrounding the topic, eating disorders are easily dismissed. However, many suffer from these mental disorders and it surrounds the entire college community.