Athlete Mental Health Week: Breaking the Silence on Eating Disorders in Sports

As Athlete Mental Health Week reminds us, the mental health struggles athletes face often go unseen, even by those closest to them. Among college students, 33% experience significant symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions, yet only 30% seek help. For college athletes, the numbers are even more concerning—just 10% of those struggling with mental health conditions reach out for support. Among professional athletes, 35% face a mental health crisis that can manifest as stress, burnout, depression, or eating disorders.

Eating disorders in sports are a particularly silent epidemic, affecting up to 45% of female athletes and nearly 19% of male athletes. Alarmingly, 38% of college male athletes and 58% of college female athletes are at-risk of developing Bulimia Nervosa. These conditions not only impact performance but also lead to long-term mental, emotional, and physical health concerns.

At EDCare, we’re working to bridge the gap in care through specialized programs like Athlete EDGE® to help athletes reclaim their health and lives. Athlete Mental Health Week offers an opportunity to address the unique mental health challenges faced by athletes, highlight the warning signs of eating disorder relapse, and advocate for holistic solutions.

The High Stakes for Student Athletes

Student-athletes navigate a unique and demanding landscape where intense training schedules, performance pressures, and social expectations converge, making them especially susceptible to disordered eating. Beyond these stressors, they also face the pervasive influence of social media, which not only reinforces unrealistic body standards but often normalizes harmful eating and exercise behaviors under the guise of athletic dedication.

Compounding these risks is the limited access to specialized care that truly understands the complexities of the athlete identity. Without proper support, many student-athletes struggle in silence, further endangering both their physical health and athletic performance.

Recognizing the Warning Signs: A Lifeline for Coaches and Families

Eating disorder recovery is rarely linear, and the risk of relapse is a reality for many athletes. Recognizing early signs can make a critical difference in guiding them back to health. Here are the key red flags:

1. Resistance to a Balanced Eating Routine – Struggling to maintain consistent, nutritious eating habits.
2. Smaller Portion Sizes – Consistently under-fueling despite high energy demands.
3. Avoidance of Certain Foods – Driven by misinformation from diet culture or anxiety.
4. Increased Exercise or Weigh-Ins – Overtraining beyond recommended levels.
5. Withdrawing from Relationships – Avoiding social or team events, especially those involving food.
6. Feelings of Guilt After Eating – Expressing regret or shame about meals.

By staying vigilant for these signs, coaches, trainers, and families can intervene early and offer critical support.

The Athlete EDGE® Approach to Recovery

Eating disorder recovery demands a comprehensive, athlete-informed approach that goes beyond addressing symptoms to tackle root causes and build lasting resilience. Athletes struggling with eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, OSFED, or ARFID often face challenges that standard treatment programs fail to address.

That’s where Athlete EDGE® steps in, offering sport and performance-focused treatment delivered by a multidisciplinary team of experts. Our program is built on the understanding that eating disorders are injuries—ones that require proper diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation.

Athletes in our care receive comprehensive, athlete-specific support, including:

• Sport and performance psychology to rebuild mental resilience.
• Sport nutrition tailored to their unique energy demands.
• Strength and conditioning coaching to reintegrate training in a healthy, sustainable way.
• Body image support to foster confidence and self-acceptance.
• Return-to-sport planning to ensure a seamless transition back to their passion.

What sets Athlete EDGE® apart is our commitment to treating the whole athlete—mind, body, and spirit. Our team includes licensed dietitians, mental performance coaches, sport psychologists, and strength and conditioning specialists, all of whom understand the unique culture of sports. By integrating families, local providers, and home teams into the treatment process, we ensure athletes have a robust support network during and after recovery.

Why Athlete Mental Health Week Matters

Prominent athletes like Simone Biles and Michael Phelps have helped normalize conversations around mental health, but more work is needed to create environments where athletes feel supported. Athlete Mental Health Week reminds us that mental health is as crucial as physical health and that addressing issues like eating disorders requires systemic change and proactive care.

At EDCare, we aim to restore that passion while helping athletes build a healthier relationship with food, exercise, and themselves. Whether it’s developing a personalized game plan or addressing the psychological impacts of perfectionism and pressure, Athlete EDGE® empowers athletes to return to life and sport feeling confident, hopeful, and healthy.

–
If you or someone you know is struggling, contact EDCare at 303-771-0861 for a free, confidential assessment or inquire using the form below. Join us in building a future where athletes’ mental health is prioritized, supported, and celebrated—because every athlete deserves to thrive, both in sport and in life.