By: Austin Dodge, December 27, 2023
Issue
When people think of wrestling, they think of a strong and lean athlete. What people do not realize is that these sports are divided into weight classes, and the goal of the athlete is to be the strongest person in the lowest weight class possible. In order for that to happen, it has become normalized to cut weight, which means extreme food and water restrictions in the case of high school students who are still growing. Fasting from food and water leads many athletes to develop eating disorders. Although many believe eating disorders are a female issue, it is not uncommon for males who participate in wrestling to struggle with a healthy body image.
Data and Personal Experiences
The above graph was posted in an article by Keely Flanagan in Survive and Thrive Boston. It shows that almost 90% of high school wrestlers participate in some level of cutting weight. As a wrestler myself, I struggle with losing weight. My goal was to compete in the 126 pound weight class. I weighed 133 pounds and though the task was manageable. However, it turned out to be extremely challenging and I found myself fasting from all food and water in the days leading up to the meet. I tried taking laxatives and would layer myself in multiple layers of clothing and a garbage bag and running to lose weight, all while being extremely hungry and dehydrated. The problem is there is no real intervention for males competing in wresting and martial arts, rather coaches encourage this unhealthy development.
"According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), only 10 percent of males who suffer from a clinical eating disorder will seek help"(Flanagan). However, the American College of Sports Medicine reports rapid-weight loss practices are not being curbed. In my personal experience and from speaking to other wrestlers, this also happens at the high school level. “On a weekly basis, rapid weight loss in high school and collegiate wrestlers has been shown to average 4-5 lbs. and may exceed 6-7 lbs. among 20 percent of the wrestlers”.
Solution
The solution to this ongoing issue is simple, there needs to be a cap on how much a high school wrestler can lose in a week. In order to do this, the National Federation of State High School Association needs to implement rules in requirement that state how much as wrester can lose based on body fat percentage and starting weight.
Citation
Flanagan, Keely. “Eating Disorders Affect Men, Athletes Who Compete in Combat and Lean Sports.” Survive and Thrive, 30 Apr. 2015, surviveandthriveboston.com/index.php/eating-disorders-affect-men-athletes-who-compete-in-combat-and-lean-sports/.