What health issue is commonly seen in adolescents involved in highly competitive sports?

Adolescents engaged in highly competitive sports often face a higher risk for developing eating disorders. This concern is primarily related to the pressure to achieve specific body weights or body compositions that are deemed favorable for their sport. Competitive athletics can create an intense desire for thinness, particularly in sports that emphasize aesthetics or weight classes, such as gymnastics or wrestling.

The pursuit of peak performance can lead young athletes to adopt unhealthy eating habits, including extreme dieting, excessive exercise, or misuse of supplements or laxatives, all in an effort to maintain an ideal body image or to improve performance. This pattern can culminate in serious conditions such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia, which not only affect physical health but can also lead to severe psychological issues.

In comparison to the other options, while anemia can occur in athletes who may not be eating a balanced diet, it is not as commonly associated with highly competitive sports as eating disorders are. Similarly, asthma, although it can affect athletes, is not a direct consequence of participation in competitive sports but rather a preexisting condition that may impact performance. Obesity is generally less of a concern among individuals involved in competitive sports due to their high activity levels, but a focus on body image and weight can push some toward dis