Many cheerleaders Have Eating Disorders

Cheerleaders or better known as the cheerleader is a team that generally consists of pretty girls and every time there's always highly anticipated sporting event in the school.

But a recent study found that cheerleading in schools at risk of body image problems and eating disorders.

This study was conducted on 136 school cheerleader. The risk of body image problems and eating disorders are influenced by putting cheerleaders ideal necessity and the demands for a special uniform.

To conduct this study, researchers surveyed the participants' weight, because weight and height cheerleaders always considered ideal.

Participants were also asked about what they think the perception of coaches and parents about their body image. Looks like this is very worrying, because what participants think is not in accordance with the expectations of their coaches or parents.

The study shows that cheerleaders are generally experiencing an eating disorder. And about 33.1 percent at risk of eating disorders and self-image ketidakpuasaan.

"Adjustment of body image and eating disorders can be formed since they were young and this will last a lifetime," said Toni Torres-McGehee, chairman of the study, as reported from LiveScience, Friday (6/4/2010).

Torres-McGehee also said that teams and coaches should consider the long-term effects suffered by cheerleaders with their obligation to wear a special uniform with the ideal body shape. Moreover, if the requirement is only based on aesthetic grounds.

"The core of the cheerleading team is to create friendships and how they cheer teams will compete, as well as keeping the body of these girls to stay active and healthy," added Torres-McGehee who is also assistant professor of athletic training at the University of South Carolina.

Coaches should be excited and do not require soraknya guiding team with an ideal body image. Coaches should build confidence in his team. With a team of cheerleaders active, healthy and always excited, its indirect impact is also felt on the ideal body shape.

These findings have been published on knowledge meeting the American College of Sports Medicine.