Consequences of Sport-Imposed Weight Restriction in Childhood

Today, young competitors undertake training programs including a high level of physical activity from an early age. This intensive training (volume and intensity) increases energy expenditure which has to be compensated by a greater nutritional intake. Ballet dancers, figure skaters, gymnasts or rhythmic gymnasts start training at the age of 5–6 years and most of them practice more than 20–30 h/week. In these activities, as well as for weight-class sports (wrestlers, jockeys, judo or boxing athletes), young elite athletes make conscious decisions to reduce food intakes to maintain the slender, pre-pubertal physique or to ‘make weight’. Adequate energy and micronutrient intakes are essential for growing children, and caloric and fluid restrictions during physical training in childhood or during adolescence could disturb metabolic and hormonal regulations affecting growth, maturation, body composition, menstrual cycle and reproductive capacity, and may increase the risk of injuries such as stress fractures. Furthermore, these strategies may develop eating disorders (anorexia and/or bulimia nervosa), especially during female adolescence, affecting body image, self-image and developing social and emotional maladjustments.