image

Sport and Soul

The hidden reality of college athletes living with eating disorders

Erica Gray, MJ Johnson, Risti Tewolde

background

Part I - Alexandra 

"Everybody was watching my weight 24/7. Everybody was watching what I ate 24/7."

Alexandra Dudschus, 21, a former gymnast at UC Berkeley opens up about her experience as a college athlete and her struggle with disordered eating. 

image
Untitled infographic
Infogram
word cluster
Infogram
Eating
background
image

Part II - Kai

"I know I'm super hard on myself."

Kai Bohannon, 20, a track and field runner at San Jose State University talks about the pressure of being a student athlete. 

background

Athletes with Eating Disorders

Athletes like Kai often struggle with eating disorders 

Image
Cathy Rigby
1972 Olympic gymnast
Battled anorexia and bulimia for 12 years. She went into cardiac arrest twice
Image
Christy Henrich
1988 World Championship gymnast
Died of anorexia nervousa in 1994. She was 22. 
Image
Bahne Rabe
1988, 1991 Olympic rower
Suffered from anorexia and died in 2001 from pneumonia and extreme malnutrition. 
Image
Nancy Kerrigan
1992, 1994 Olympic figure skater
Developed an eating disorder as a result of her 1994 assault. 
Image
Christian Moser
1994 Olympic skii jumper
Declined in performance when he was diagnosed with anorexia. 
Image
Mia St. John
Champion boxer and MMA fighter
Suffered bulimia in high school and throughout her professional career.
Image
Gracie Gold
2014 Olympic figure skater
Experienced binging and bulimia during episodes of severe depression.
Image
Mary Cain
Olympic hopeful distance runner 
Developed osteoporosis as a result of an eating disorder 

The highest mortality rate of any mental illness

Eating disorders can have drastic effects on the body's stability, health and ability to function. 

18 times 

the death risk of healthy people

20% 

of people suffering from anorexia will die prematurely due to the effects of their eating disorder. 

Every 62 minutes

at least one person dies as a direct result from an eating disorder

background

Part III - Reflection

"We're more than just an image."

Charlie became a source of support for Kai. Ultimately, both Kai and Alexandra continue on with their everyday lives. 

image
College Students w/ ED - Mental Health Service Use
Infogram
Ways to Contact the National Eating Disorders Association Helpline:
background

Ways to Contact the National Eating Disorders Association Helpline:

Click-to-Chat: Click here to speak with a live, trained volunteer if you prefer messaging.

Crisis Text Line: Text "NEDA" to 741741 to connect with a trained volunteer.

Treatment providers in all 50 states: Click here

Phone

(800) 931-2237

Open Hours

Monday - Thursday: 9 AM - 9 PM ET

Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM ET

Saturday - Sunday: CLOSED