Reimagining Athletic Bodies

Negative body image has become quite common among women in today’s  society. Consistently, research proves that women in sports are generally more dissatisfied with their bodies than the general population of women. The blame for this increasing dissatisfaction falls directly on the sociocultural norm for how athletes should look, and the dramatic and unrealistic expectations these athletes are expected to follow. 

The pressure to succeed athletically manifests differently depending on the sport: the faster times, the longest jumps, or the highest scores. Sometimes, this extends outside of the sport and into the way athletes view their bodies. Eating disorders and unhealthy body comparisons are increasingly common among athletes, as society views these people as the pinnacle of physical fitness and health. A large emphasis on body weight and shape coupled with this desire to win can create a toxic combination and mindset. Body image issues can stem from coaches, but recent research shows that they more often come from fellow teammates, according to the Eating Disorder Hope. Individually focused sports such as gymnastics, running or  skating tend to scrutinize appearance and diet for that one athlete. Many athletes struggle with body dissatisfaction due to the misconception that athletes must have a specific build to attain success. 

An additional factor that can affect body image in athletes relates to the revealing sport attire they are required to wear. A uniform can be revealing based on the amount of skin revealed or how tightly the uniform sticks to the body. Such a uniform can increase body consciousness and body dissatisfaction, which in turn can increase the risk of unhealthy dieting and disordered eating symptoms. sports can be a reflection of society. In that regard, we not only see body image issues and eating disorders in sport; we also see what appears to be sexism regarding the revealing nature of the uniforms for female athletes. However, the issue is not consistent through all sports. For example, in sports like swimming and diving, male and female athletes wear revealing suits. The fact that both genders wear revealing uniforms suggests a functional rationale for the suits. Their uniforms serve a purpose as they facilitate performance, such as reducing drag in the water. However, in many sports, like distance running, the uniforms for women are far more revealing than those for men in the same sport, suggesting that the issue is not functionality. Rather, it appears to be related to sexism to increase attendance and make a profit from these sporting events. These uniforms not only increase the risk of disordered eating, but they also facilitate unhealthy body comparisons. They may even affect whether a young girl chooses to participate in sport or not. 

This issue of sexualizing things pertaining just to women is discussed thoroughly in the text by Bartky. As mentioned above, women’s bodies are consistently treated differently than men and can be seen in numerous circumstances. Bartky goes on to explain how the exercises women should engage in are seen as much more feminine than the ones men are expected to do (Bartky 81, 1998). Being an athlete for over half of my life, I have experienced these sociocultural norms firsthand. As a female distance runner, I have received disheartening comments from coaches, teammates and friends about my appearance and place on a team. The most common thing I have heard in my ten or so years running has been “you aren’t really built like a distance runner”. While society has engraved this idea of what a runner should look like, it is hurtful to look at a person and sort them into a category for how they should look given the sport they are in. This categorization is harmful and promotes unhealthy minds for athletes which ultimately causes issues of body dysmorphia and disordered eating. Sports are supposed to be uplifting and a way to boost self-esteem by surrounding yourself with like people, not damage mental health and promote body image issues in athletes.

Female athletes are more at risk for body image problems and eating disorders than the general population. For this reason, we need specialized approaches to identification, management, treatment, and prevention. When possible, we should be in treatment with healthcare providers with experience in treating eating disorders and athletes, but who also understand and accept the importance of this sport in the life of a serious athlete. To destroy the norms around female athletes, you can begin by showing your body self-love, fueling it with whatever foods make you happy, affirming your body and your size with positive words, and demanding change within the sports industry that serves individuals of all athletic abilities, shapes and sizes.