The struggle is real for elite female athletes, who are speaking out about their battles with body image and disordered eating. It's a shocking revelation that these talented individuals, who grace the world stage with their athletic prowess, are often fighting an inner war against their own bodies.
Matilda Friend, a former ice dancer, shares her story of pursuing her dream from the tender age of 8. She and her partner, William Badaoui, reached the impressive rank of 55 in the world, yet behind the glitz and glamour, Friend was waging a personal battle.
"They were just these tiny, petite, slim girls. I'm shorter and have more of a muscular body, and I compared myself to that," Friend confesses. This struggle began at just 11 years old during a training stint in Moscow. She witnessed her peers hiding food to appear smaller, and from then on, she too felt the pressure to conform.
"I wanted to do the best that I could and get good scores, and I truly felt like that [appearance] was an influential part of the score at the end of the competition," she explains. This mindset led to disordered eating habits, a common theme among elite athletes.
But here's where it gets controversial...
ABC Sport, in partnership with Deakin University, conducted a survey revealing that 27% of elite female athletes have negative body image issues, and a staggering 44% have experienced eating disorders. These numbers are significantly higher than the general population, with research suggesting up to 17% of Australians suffer from eating disorders.
Clinical psychologist Scott Fatt, who led the ASPIRE study, found that almost 80% of the 238 participants were at risk of disordered eating. He explains that athletes experience body image differently, with conflicting expectations of how they should look as an athlete versus how society dictates they should look.
This issue extends beyond elite athletes, affecting recreational athletes too. Research from Edith Cowan University found that most recreational athletes are dissatisfied with their bodies, with half worried about their body image and weight.
Melanie Kawa, a former rugby union player, also battled disordered eating throughout her career. She shares how proper nourishment led to better performance, a sentiment echoed by Friend.
"I noticed a difference when I would eat properly and train better," Friend says.
So, why are these athletes, who are at the pinnacle of their physical abilities, struggling with such issues? Fatt believes it's a combination of factors, including the driven nature of athletes, their high standards, and the perfectionism often linked with eating disorder symptoms.
And this is the part most people miss...
The environment in which athletes train and compete can normalize rigid exercise and eating behaviors. It's a culture that needs to change, according to Fatt, who advocates for a whole-of-sport approach to address these issues.
"There needs to be a change in the way that we communicate around appearance, body image, and weight within the sporting environment," he asserts.
So, what can be done to support these athletes and ensure they're performing at their best, both physically and mentally? It's a complex issue, but one that deserves our attention and action.
What are your thoughts? Do you think enough is being done to address these issues in the sporting world? We'd love to hear your opinions in the comments below!
