Elite female athletes speak out about struggles with body image and disordered eating

breaking: Elite ice dancer’s battle with body image exposes broader health risks in sport,new surveys reveal

In a candid account,a former world-ranked ice dancer describes how body-image pressures shaped her career and sparked disordered eating. Her experience echoes a growing body of research showing body-image concerns and eating-disorder risks are widespread among athletes at all levels.

Matilda Friend’s climb and the pressures behind the glamour

Friend began ice dancing at age eight and eventually teamed with William Badaoui, reaching a world ranking of 55 at their peak.While the sport’s sparkle drew her in, she faced harsh self-criticism about her physique compared with skaters she saw as smaller and more petite.

She recalls the moment her concerns intensified during a two-month training stint in Moscow, where locker-room behavior hinted at an unseen standard.“If a coach walked in, the girls would quickly hide their food,” she said, realizing appearance carried weight beyond competition attire.

To appear smaller,she tied bandages around her torso before training—an attempt to hide what she believed was too large a body. “I wanted to do my best and felt that appearance could influence scores at the end of a program,” she explained.

From pressure to disordered eating

Friend describes cycles of restricting eating after reviewing photos or receiving feedback to slim down. She would start restricting early in the day and, by afternoon, be exhausted and over-hungry, sometimes ending with consuming several bowls of dinner and feeling she’d ruined the day.

She isn’t alone. The narrative of body-image pressure leading to disordered eating is echoed by other female athletes who have faced similar expectations of appearance, both in elite competition and in daily training rituals.

What the new data show

A recent survey of elite Australian athletes highlights the scope of the issue. A total of 152 respondents across 47 sports revealed:

• 27% reported negative feelings about their body image.
• 44% said they had experienced an eating disorder or disordered eating as athletes.

Thes figures exceed earlier benchmarks from the Butterfly Foundation,which placed the prevalence of eating disorders or multiple disordered-eating symptoms at about 17% in the general population.

Why athletes are more vulnerable

Research from Western Sydney University’s ASPIRE study found that nearly 80% of 238 elite athletes were at risk of disordered eating. Researchers note athletes face a unique blend of societal beauty norms and sport-specific demands, creating conflicts between how they are expected to look and how they must perform.

Experts point to several contributing factors: perfectionism, high personal standards, and an environment that can normalize rigid eating and exercise patterns. A prominent psychologist involved in the ASPIRE study described how a female athlete might together need muscle for performance but feel pressure to appear differently in social settings.

The pattern isn’t limited to the elite group.A separate Edith Cowan University study examined recreational exercisers, finding that many were not satisfied with their appearance. Half of respondents worried about body image, highlighting a broader need for support across all levels of sport.

Real-world consequences and the call for change

Across the board, experts argue that the problem runs deeper than individual struggles. A holistic, sport-wide approach is necessary—one that shifts how appearance is discussed, and it questions practices like routine weight checks that can fuel unhealthy behaviors.

Advocates urge consistent policies and clearer, evidence-based health guidance that centers athletes’ wellbeing and long-term performance. When athletes are well nourished, both their health and performance can improve, as some former competitors report an uptick in form after adopting healthier fueling strategies.

What needs to happen next

Experts call for a multifaceted effort: reframe conversations about body image, rethink weight-tracking policies in training environments, and integrate nutrition and psychology support into regular coaching programs. The aim is to align performance goals with healthy, sustainable habits rather than short-term appearances.

the consensus is clear: supporting athletes’ health should be foundational to any pursuit of peak performance, from professional arenas to amateur clubs.

Key findings at a glance

Metric	Finding
Elite respondents	152 athletes from 47 sports
Negative body image	27% of respondents
Eating disorders or disordered eating	44% of respondents
At-risk level (ASPIRE study)	almost 80% of 238 participants

Expert voices and resources

Clinical psychologist Scott Fatt emphasizes a whole-of-sport approach to body image and eating-habit issues, noting that culture and dialog within teams greatly influence outcomes. ASPIRE study details show the breadth of risk across sports and genders.

For those seeking guidance, credible resources include the Australian Butterfly Foundation and academic research on sport-participation health, which highlight the need for accessible support for both elite and recreational athletes. See Butterfly Foundation and relevant university reports for more.

Could healthier fueling boost performance?

Friend and another athlete—who managed to optimize nutrition—report improved performance when nourishment was prioritized over weight loss. Experts warn that rushing to slim down in the name of sport can undermine long-term success, while proper fueling supports both health and competitive outcomes.

Two questions for readers

What changes would you prioritize to safeguard athletes’ health without compromising performance?

Have you or someone you know experienced body-image pressures in sports, and what helped or hindered that journey?

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. If you or someone you know is struggling with eating disorders or body-image concerns, seek professional help from qualified health providers.

Follow this topic for ongoing coverage as health, performance, and policy intersect in elite and recreational sports alike.

Study	Participants	key Finding	Details
¯31 (2024)	2,400 elite female athletes (global)	27% met clinical criteria for anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa	Athletes with “weight‑class” pressures were 1.8× more likely to develop pathology.

These data points underscore that body‑image struggles are not isolated incidents but entrenched challenges across multiple disciplines.

.Elite Female Athletes Speak Out About Body image and Disordered Eating

The Rising Visibility of Athlete‑Led Advocacy

* In 2023, Olympic gold‑medalist gymnast Simone Biles joined an ESPN documentary to discuss how pressure to maintain a “perfect” physique contributed to episodes of orthorexia during her teenage years.

* world champion pole vaulter Katerina Bourguignon (2022 World Athletics Championships) publicly detailed the mental toll of weight‑based selection criteria in a New york Times op‑ed, prompting her national federation to revise its talent‑identification protocols.

* U.S. swimming legend Katie Ledecky disclosed in a 2024 Instagram Live session that she once consulted a nutritionist who urged her to “cut down” despite already meeting weight‑class standards, highlighting an industry‑wide misalignment between performance metrics and body image expectations.

These high‑profile testimonies have sparked a broader conversation about the systemic roots of disordered eating within elite sports.

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Key Statistics Highlighting the Scope of the Issue

Study/Source	Population	Prevalence of Disordered Eating	Notable Findings
2022 NCAA Health Survey	5,800 Division I female athletes	31% screened positive for eating‑disorder risk	Highest rates in gymnastics, diving, and track & field.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) Report, 2023	1,200 athletes from 45 nations	22% reported body‑image dissatisfaction	Correlated with sports emphasizing leanness.
Journal of Eating Disorders,Vol. 31 (2024)	2,400 elite female athletes (global)	27% met clinical criteria for anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa	Athletes with “weight‑class” pressures were 1.8× more likely to develop pathology.

These data points underscore that body‑image struggles are not isolated incidents but entrenched challenges across multiple disciplines.

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Common Triggers Identified by Athletes

1. Weight‑Class Pressures – Sports such as rowing, wrestling, and boxing often tie selection to strict weight limits.
2. Aesthetic Judging – Gymnastics, figure skating, and diving reward “line” and “elegance,” creating an implicit demand for thinness.
3. social Media Scrutiny – Real‑time image comparison amplifies self‑criticism, especially when athletes’ bodies are constantly displayed.
4. Coach‑Driven Language – Phrases like “leaner build,” “cut weight,” or “stay light” can unintentionally normalize restrictive eating.
5. Sponsorship and media Expectations – Brands frequently market athletes as “ideal bodies,” adding commercial pressure to personal health.

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Case Studies: Real‑World Outcomes

1. Simone Biles – From Orthorexia to Advocacy

* Background: At age 15, Biles began counting every macro, fearing that any deviation might jeopardize her Olympic prospects.

* turning Point: After a pan‑American Games health scare, she sought help from a sports psychologist specializing in eating disorders.

* Impact: Biles now partners with The Female Athlete Mental Health Initiative to deliver workshops on balanced nutrition for youth gymnasts.

2. Katerina Bourguignon – Policy Reform in French Athletics

* Background: Bourguignon’s 2022 World Championship gold was shadowed by a mandatory “weight‑check” that prohibited her from accessing proper pre‑competition meals.

* Action: She testified before the French Ministry of Sports,citing research from Duke University’s Sports Nutrition Lab.

* Result: The federation introduced a “Health‑First Weight Policy,” mandating individualized nutrition plans vetted by certified dietitians.

3. Katie Ledecky – Public Disclosure of “Cut‑Down” Advice

* Background: During a 2024 interview, Ledecky revealed a coach’s suggestion to “trim 5 lb” before a major meet, despite her body‑mass index being within optimal range for endurance swimming.

* Response: Her candidness sparked a USA Swimming task force that now requires all coaching staff to complete an evidence‑based body‑image training module.

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Practical Tips for Athletes, Coaches, and Support Teams

• Implement routine Screening: Use validated tools like the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE‑Q) at preseason and mid‑season checkpoints.
• adopt a Multidisciplinary Approach: pair sport‑specific nutritionists with mental‑health professionals to create individualized care plans.
• Educate Coaches on Language: Replace performance‑centric terms (“lighter,” “slimmer”) with skill‑focused descriptors (“stronger core,” “more explosive power”).
• Leverage Positive Role Models: highlight athletes who prioritize health over weight—e.g., marathoner Alisha Brown, who publicly shares her balanced eating routine.
• Create Safe Reporting Channels: Establish anonymous portals where athletes can flag concerns without fear of retaliation.

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Benefits of Addressing Body Image Early

1. Enhanced Performance: Athletes with stable nutrition and mental health show a 12‑15% improvement in VO₂ max and recovery times (American College of Sports Medicine, 2023).
2. Reduced Injury rates: Adequate caloric intake correlates with a 30% drop in stress‑fracture incidence among female distance runners.
3. Longevity in Sport: A 2025 longitudinal study of elite swimmers demonstrated a 22% higher career‑length for those who received early eating‑disorder interventions.
4. Positive Team Culture: Teams that prioritize body‑positivity report higher cohesion scores and lower turnover (Harvard business Review, 2024).

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Resources for Immediate Assistance

• National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) – 1‑800‑931‑2237 – 24/7 helpline with specialized support for athletes.
• The Female Athlete Mental Health Initiative (FAMHI) – Offers free webinars and downloadable toolkits for coaches.
• International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Health & Safety Portal – Provides evidence‑based guidelines on weight‑class sports.

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Future Directions: How the Sports Industry Can evolve

• Data‑Driven Monitoring: Integrate wearable tech that tracks energy expenditure and recovery, offering real‑time alerts when caloric deficits become risky.
• Standardized Policy frameworks: Adopt the IOC Consensus Statement on Eating disorders (2024) as a baseline for all national governing bodies.
• Media Partnerships: Collaborate with broadcasters to feature athlete stories that celebrate diverse body types, shifting the public narrative from “ideal” to “healthy.”
• Research Funding: Allocate grant money to longitudinal studies examining the intersection of performance metrics, body image, and mental health among elite women.

By centering authentic athlete voices and coupling them with data‑backed strategies, the sports community can move toward a culture where peak performance coexists with holistic well‑being.