KNOWN AS the game for all shapes and sizes, sadly that does not preclude those in rugby union from experiencing issues with body image and eating.
Far from it. “Eating disorders are more common among athletes than in the public,” explains Dr Anne Kehoe, the president of the Psychological Society of Ireland who works with Rugby Players Ireland. “Rugby is for all bodies, so people sometimes make unfair comparisons with team-mates and can set up unrealistic ideas or expectations.
“We call it cognitive distortion. People can become very anxious then that can help perpetuate disordered eating.”
The UK’s eating disorder charity BEAT estimates that 1.25million people, in a population of just over 67 million, have an eating disorder. Around 25% are male. Many struggle with irregular eating but may not warrant a diagnosis.
Perfectionism, high standards and personal discipline are all personality traits found in elite athletes that can lead to dysfunctional relationships with food, body image and exercise.
“It doesn’t have to be a full-blown classic eating disorder that’s ruining your game and your life, it’s okay to get help earlier on,” adds Dr Kehoe. “It’s not unusual to have an over-focus on eating at professional-level sports and focus on that area can hamper performance.”
When a player talks about changing their body composition, that’s when body image comes into play for the SRU’s head of physical performance Stuart Yule. “Body image won’t be at the forefront of programme design or performance process. It becomes a factor when it’s raised by a player. ‘I want to get bigger, lose body fat. I want to get leaner.’ Then it will come into the next stage of development for that programme. Working with them to achieve their physical goals.
“Why do you want to get leaner? Perception of what you look like or is it to help your performance? If it was not performance-related, it would be why? Everyone
