Eating disorders affect the lives of one third of female athletes and less than that of male athletes.

Appearance, advantageous and weight category athletes are most often the ones who develop eating disorders. These categories include gymnastics, figure skating, dancing, distance running, body building, wrestling and rowing.

Even though a thin frame seems advantageous, there comes a time when the too-tiny frame breaks down because it is not getting the necessary nutrients to support high levels of activity.

Eating orders eventually impair athletic performance, weaken internal organs, muscular power and endurance and inhibit the ability to fight off illness which, in turn, affects training schedules.

Bulimics suffer dental problems from purging; anorexics miss menstrual cycles, and a lack of vitamins can lead to weak bones.

Even worse than all this, an eating disorder can kill you.

Survivors of the diseases battle the problem for years. A recent article published in the Daily said 66 percent of women with disorders suffer from them for life.

Dealing with the disorder each day is difficult. Food consumes you, even though you aren’t consuming it properly.

Eating disorders and athletes with these disorders make headlines constantly.

Information about them is available, but general awareness and knowledge of eating disorders does not keep problems from developing.

How can you tell if someone has an eating disorder? For the most part, the following describes symptoms of a problem: refusal to maintain a healthy body weight, dramatic weight loss, fear of gaining weight despite being underweight, distorted self-image, preoccupation with food, abnormal food-consumption patterns, loss of control and feelings of guilt associated with food.

ANYONE can develop an eating disorder. This includes those who seem perfect, and those who are intelligent, athletic, already thin and obese.

I have heard people proclaim their disbeliefs about people who have eating disorders.

“…but she’s so smart and that’s so stupid..

“…but he’s so skinny … why … ?” It is important to understand that although an eating disorder seems stupid, it is serious.

In addition to the desire or pressure to be a thin athlete, eating disorders can be linked to family problems, relationship struggles and emotional issues.

It also is important to understand that the person is aware of his or her problem but does not know what to do about it.

Athletes with disorders need to know their existence is more important than any athletic contribution.

Coaches need to be aware that athletes are likely to take weight comments seriously and perhaps too seriously.

When athletes express concerns about a personal eating problem or a concern about another athlete on the team, coaches and teammates must listen with sincere concern. The Internet offers insight into dealing with problems. I found many links on the topic at http://www.com/library/rt/rt18.html

Everyone should take eating disorders seriously. Help save someone from making food an enemy that destroys, rather than a friend that fosters a healthy existence.

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Amanda Fier is a senior in journalism and mass communication from Davenport.