Volume 30, Issue 173, July 2026

Eating Disorders in Athletes – Clinical Presentation and Medical Complications

Filip Gałązka^1♦, Agata Olecka², Julia Gałązka³, Małgorzata Ziółek², Jakub Cegielski⁴, Magdalena Maroszek², Ariadna Bakier², Bartosz Janik², Kamil Szymczak², Jakub Ślęzak⁴, Albert Wiatr², Nikodem Mozgała⁴

¹Copernicus PL Sp. z o.o., St. Adalbert Hospital, aleja Jana Pawła II 50, 80-462, Gdańsk, Poland
²7th Military Naval Hospital, Polanki 117, 80-305 Gdańsk, Poland
³Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Wóycickiego 1/3, 01-938 Warsaw, Poland
⁴The Prowincial Hospital in Bielsko-Biała, Bielsko-Biała, Poland

^♦Corresponding author
Filip Gałązka, Copernicus PL Sp. z o.o., St. Adalbert Hospital, aleja Jana Pawła II 50, 80-462, Gdańsk, Poland

ABSTRACT

Eating disorders (ED) are mental health conditions. They involve unhealthy eating patterns and negative thoughts about food, body weight, or body shape. Athletes have a higher risk of ED than the general population. In athletes, ED often start with patterns of disordered eating such as strict dieting, skipping meals, or exercising too much. Over time, hese problems can develop into anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), or other feeding and eating disorders. Female athletes have a higher risk than male athletes. However, all genders can be affected. Clinically, athletes can show a wide range of symptoms. These include very low energy intake, fatigue, changes in body weight, body image concerns, menstrual dysfunction in women, and compulsive exercise. Some athletes may also develop relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S). It is a complex condition linked to low energy availability that affects many body systems. Medical complications of ED in athletes can affect many organs and systems. It is important to find them as early as possible. Also, the holistic treatment is essential. It should involve coaches, physicians, dietitians, and mental health professionals. Screening tools for athletes, regular health monitoring, and education about healthy nutrition and energy balance can help prevent serious complications.

Keywords: eating disorders; athletes; disordered eating; RED-S; low energy availability; menstrual dysfunction; medical complications

Medical Science, 2026, 30, e134ms3889

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Published: 27 July 2026