When I read this book, Jordyn was very young and her weight was not an issue. As a mother, I wanted to make sure this never became a problem. I wanted Jordyn to learn from a young age how to eat healthy and have a healthy body image. This seems like an easy task, but in a judged, performance-based sport like gymnastics, there is pressure to look good and the parent may face many outside influences. Coaches, judges, other gymnasts and even some parents can add to the pressure a gymnast feels to be thin and perfect.
Studies have shown an increase in the prevalence of eating disorders among athletes, particularly in sports like gymnastics, figure skating and ballet. An article by Anna Cintado of Vanderbilt University states:
As famous gymnasts like Kathy Johnson and Nadia Comaneci, who have struggled with eating disorders themselves, have demonstrated, women’s gymnastics seems “designed for illness” (“Dying for a Medal,” 1994). In the 1992 NCAA survey, 51 percent of responding gymnastics programs reported this illness among their team members, “a far higher percentage than in any other sport” (“Dying to win” 1994). Unfortunately, the real figure is probably even higher.
A more recent study of research indicates that female athletes participating in judged sports have a prevalence of eating disorders of 13 percent, compared to only 3 percent in the general population. (Athletes and eating disorders: National Collegiate Athletic Association study).
In high-level competitive sports, the motto “You have to be thin to win” is often ingrained in the minds of athletes. Certainly, performance can suffer when an athlete has excess body fat. Performing high-level skills can be even more dangerous when an athlete has additional body weight to negotiate. But there’s a distinct difference between body weight (weight on the scale) and body composition (the amount of weight that comes from fat versus muscle. And there’s a reality check: Not all gymnasts have the predisposition Genetic to be short and thin, which may become evident during puberty.
There is a price to pay for athletes who strive to achieve and maintain an unrealistic and unhealthy weight. In my opinion, there has been considerable growth in this area among competitive gymnasts. Hopefully the days of the coach weighing athletes in front of their teammates, as seen in “Perfect Body,” are over. Hopefully coaches and judges focus on healthy eating, healthy weight, safe training and skill execution.
But we live in a competitive world. There are still those who believe it is worth doing whatever it takes to win despite the risks to physical and mental health. That’s why I’m tackling the topic of body weight, eating disorders, and proper nutrition in this 4-part blog series. Here are the topics of the next 3 blogs…
Blog #2: Healthy body weight – Healthy self-image
This blog will cover these topics: healthy body weight, the difference between body weight and body composition, pressures to be thin, discussing body weight issues with your daughter and her trainer…
Blog #3:
This blog will cover these topics: the signs of a developing eating disorder, the female/athlete triad and the dangers of eating disorders, basic nutrition for athletes.
Blog #4:
This blog will cover these topics: tips for eating healthily despite a gymnast’s busy schedule, ideas for snacks and recipes, and available resources.
In the meantime, share with ME any good healthy recipes and snack ideas you have. I’m also interested in any stories of weight loss/gain or eating disorders you’ve experienced with your daughter, if you’re willing to share them. Contact me via my website at www.gymmom.net (see “contact” at the bottom of the page).
Rita Wieber is the author of “Gym Mom: The Twists and Turns of Your Daughter’s Gymnastics Career” and mother of four, including world champion and Olympic gold medalist Jordyn Wieber. Wieber is a registered nurse and has a master’s degree in exercise physiology and health education. Visit his website at www.gymmom.net.
