Pathogenic weight-control behavior in female athletes

Athletes have gone to extraordinary lengths to reduce their body fat stores in an effort to improve performance. To identify athletes who need help, a questionnaire was administered to 182 female collegiate athletes. Results showed that 32% practiced at least one of the weight-control behaviors defined as pathogenic, which include self-induced vomiting; binges more than twice weekly; and the use of laxatives, diet pills, and/or diuretics. A number of steps are suggested to alert coaches, trainers, and team physicians to the high-risk athlete who requires special attention or treatment to correct this disorder.