The Incidence, Detection and Treatment of Eating Disorders among Athletes and Fitness Participants.

Following a review of research literature on eating disorders and the fitness image, the report finds that five socio-cultural influences have been associated with the increase and prevalence of eating disorders: the pressure to be thin; glorification of youth; the changing role of females; media image and marketing of the super woman; and the sport and fitness craze. These pressures have increased in modern society as society has passed the Greek idea of sport, to the current idea of fitness and better teams through starvation and steroids. Health professionals, sport coaches, instructors, and administrators should work against the following mainstream sport culture influences: (1) the "thinning edge" for judges and coaches; (2) obsolescent adolescent athletes; (3) harassed"Golden Girls" in a paternalistic sport world; (4) Sports Illustrated and Vogue fitness market; and (5) Anorexica Athletica and Bulimic Cosmetic Fitness. In summary the paternalistic sport power structure which controls power, prestige and privilege has led to the great "weight shift" which prompted women and men to turn to the "one stone solution" (one stone equals 14 pounds). If she could just lose one stone through starvation and he could gain just one stone through steroids, they would be winners. An opinionnaire and survey results are attached. (ABL)