Eating Disorders in Athletes

Essential features and diagnostic criteria ( Fig. 27.1 ):

• Restriction of calorie intake relative to requirements, leading to a significantly low body weight in the context of the age, sex, developmental trajectory, and physical health.

• Intense, pathologic fear of gaining weight or becoming fat or persistent behavior that interferes with weight gain.

• Individuals are often disturbed by their body weight or shape, their self-worth is influenced by body weight or shape, or there is a persistent lack of recognition of the seriousness of their low body weight.

The WHO uses a threshold of body mass index (BMI) less than 18.5 kg/m ² in adults and BMI for age under fifth percentile in children and adolescents.

• Severity of AN (based on BMI):

• Mild: ≥17 kg/m ²

• Moderate: 16–16.99 kg/m ²

• Severe: 15–15.99 kg/m ²

• Extreme: <15 kg/m ²

Emotional and behavioral characteristics: Intense fear of weight gain, preoccupation with weight/food, overvaluation of body image, inflexible thinking, limited social spontaneity, restrained emotion, strong need for control

Common comorbidities: Anxiety, depressive disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders

Medical complications: due to malnutrition

Endocrine/metabolic ( Fig. 27.2 ):

• A result of the body’s attempt to conserve energy for more vital processes.

• Amenorrhea/anovulation/infertility: A decrease of pulsatile hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone secretion causes low levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), known as functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA).

• Reduced testosterone in males (hypogonadotropic hypogonadism) can result in low libido and infertility.

• Decreased leptin and oxytocin and increased ghrelin, protein YY, and adiponectin, which are appetite-regulating hormones.

• Increased growth hormone.

• Increased cortisol level because of increased adrenal production and reduced renal clearance.

• Low insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1).

• Hypothermia.

• Euthyroid sick syndrome: thyroid function abnormalities; resolves with weight gain.

• Hypokalemia, hyponatremia, hypoglycemia.

• Low bone density: The result of low estrogen; low testosterone; and increases in stress hormones, catecholamines, and cortisol. This results in reduction of bone formation and calcium absorption. Low energy availability leads to decreased IgF-1 and bone formation marker levels. There is also an increase in bone resorption. Changes in bone structure result in an increased risk of stress fractures. Fracture risk persists for years after diagnosis and may be irreversible.

Cardiovascular:

• Hypotension.

• Arrhythmias.

• Sinus bradycardia (heightened vagal tone due to profound weight loss). Resting heart rate (RHR) is often seen below 60 beats per minute (bmp). If RHR is <40 bpm, hospitalization is often required.

• Prolonged QTc: Increased risk of sudden death.

• Heart block.

• Endothelial dysfunction increasing cardiovascular risk.

• Structural changes: Left ventricular atrophy, pericardial effusion.

Gastrointestinal: Elevated liver function tests, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), bleeding, ulceration, dysphagia, gastroparesis leading to early satiety and bloating, constipation, dental/gingival issues.

Neurologic: Brain atrophy, memory loss, poor concentration, insomnia.

Integumentary: Lanugo, hair loss, acrocyanosis, carotenoderma, dry hair and nails, poor wound healing.

Hematologic: Anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia.

Other: Increased injury risk and decreased athletic performance because of dehydration, reduced glycogen stores, or loss of muscle mass. Impaired cognition and mood can also negatively affect performance.

Recurrent episodes of binge eating: These episodes consist of eating significantly more food in a defined period (e.g., within 2 hours) than others would eat under the same circumstances

Episodes are marked by feeling out of control

Binge eating episodes are followed by inappropriate compensatory behaviors (purging, fasting, excessive exercise, inappropriate laxative, or diuretic use)

Must occur once weekly for 3 months

Self-evaluation is unjustifiably influenced by body and shape

Severity scale

• Mild: 1–3 episodes of inappropriate compensatory behaviors per week

• Moderate: 4–7 episodes per week

• Severe: 8–13 episodes per week

• Extreme: 14 or more episodes per week

Weight is often within normal range but may be overweight

Emotional and behavior characteristics: Uncomfortable eating around others, food rituals, hoarding food, fear of eating in public, disappearing after eating, withdrawing from friends and activities

Common comorbidities: Anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, self-injury, impulsivity, suicidal ideation, substance abuse