Social Influences; *Sociocultural Patterns

This report notes that eating disorders are frequently described as a diet and fitness program gone wild. It outlines and describes five sociocultural influences which have been identified for eating disorders: (1) emphasis on thinness; (2) glorification of youth; (3) changing roles of women; (4) emphasis on fitness and sport programs; and (5) the media. Major studies conducted in the United States and Canada relating eating disorders and sports/fitness activity are thoroughly reviewed and an agenda is presented for moving sports/fitness from part of the problem to part of the solution for eating disorders. The overrepresentation of eating disorders among athletes who must conform to strict weight restrictions in order to perform is discussed and well-known female athletes who have suffered from eating disorders are identified. Anorexia among men is also described. Several tables are included which provide infcrmation to help fitness instructors and athletic coaches distinguish between features of the normal athlete/fitness participant and the athlete/exercise anorexic/bulimic. Danger signs of eating disorders are listed and features shared by both normal and eating-disordered athletes are given. The role of the media in promoting a desire for thinness is discussed and issues of dissatisfaction with body weight and body image distortioa are addressed. (NB) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document