Disordered eating, oral health and sports

Multiple studies have identified that eating disorders are more common in elite athletes than in non-athlete populations. There are a wide range of types of eating disorders that can impact the oral and general health of athletes, including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, avoidant restrictive food intake disorder and other specified feeding and eating disorder. In addition, athletes can be affected by disordered eating such as relative energy deficiency in sport. This paper will explore what we know about the impact of eating disorders on oral health of athletes. We will consider suggested approaches to conversations with those at risk of an eating disorder and consider sources of support for affected individuals. This narrative paper is targeted at all providers of oral healthcare and oral health policy, as well as athletes and sports medicine practitioners and allied professionals.