Body Composition and Eating Disorders

David Smith MS ATCSports Medicine 1

Average College Male◦ 12%-15%

Athlete◦ 8%-12%

Lowest Healthy◦ 3%

Male Body Composition

Average College Female◦ 20%-25%

Athlete◦ 10%-18%

Lowest Healthy◦ 10%

Female Body Composition

The number of calories consumed-the number of calories expended

Can expend calories by◦ 1) Metabolic Rate◦ 2) Exercise

If higher number of calories consumed than expended=gain weight

If lower number of calories consumed than expended=lose weight

Caloric Balance

Caloric Intake◦ College Athletes 2000-5000 Calories

Caloric Expenditure◦ College Athletes 2200-4400 Calories

Some people require more than 5000 calories if they are endurance athletes

Calories

Methods of Weight Loss◦ 1)Dieting

◦ 2) Increase amount of exercise

◦ 3)Diet and increase amount of exercise

Weight Loss

Long term weight control through dieting is only successful about 20% of the time.

Most people can not keep on a strict diet and fall off and return to previous eating habits.

Minimum Caloric Intake:◦ Females 1000-1200 Calories◦ Males 1200-1400 Calories

◦ Weight loss through dieting is 35%-45% lean tissue

Dieting

Weight loss through Exercise is loss of 80%-90% of fatty tissue.

Exercise results are:◦ Weight Loss◦ Increases cardio efficiency◦ Increases strength◦ Increases flexibility◦ Lowers Heart Rate◦ Lowers Blood Pressure

Exercise

This combination is the MOST efficient way to lose weight!

This includes moderate caloric restriction and increased exercise.

1-2 Lbs/Week Safe 4-5 Lbs/Week may be lost due to

dehydration To lose 1 Lbs must expend 3500 calories

Diet and Exercise

Bulimia◦ Commonly Female◦ Adolescent to Middle age◦ 1/200 aged 12-18 develop patterns of anorexia

too

Eating Disorders

Bulimics tend to:◦ Eat 1000’s of calories at 1 sitting after a period of

starvation◦ They follow up the eating with vomiting or using

laxatives

◦ The Definition is: Recurrent episodes of rapid, uncontrollable ingestion

of large amounts of food in a short amount of time, followed by purging, either by vomiting or using diuretics

Bulimia

Characteristics of Bulimics:◦ Typically white◦ Middle to Upper Class◦ Perfectionist◦ Over Compliant◦ Obedient◦ Highly Motivated◦ Good Grades◦ Well Liked◦ Good Athlete (Usually Gymnastics,Dance,Track,

may also be Male gymnasts and wrestlers)

Bulimia

Side Effects◦ Stomach Ruptures◦ Tooth Decay◦ Mouth and Throat Irritation and sores◦ Liver Damage◦ Disrupted Heart Rhythm

Bulimia

30%-50% of anorexics have symptoms of Bulimia

Distorted Body Image andmajor concerns of weight gain

15%-20% of diagnosed anorexics DIE!!!

Anorexia Nervosa

Any athlete with an eating disorder must be confronted in a sympathetic manner

Early detection is essential

Refer them to a Doctor ASAP They may follow up with a Psychiatrist

Key to treatment is getting them to realize they have a problem

They must volunteer for help can not make someone get treatment

Anorexia Nervosa