Those afflicted with bulimia nervosa are typically easier to coax out of their routines than those who have anorexia nervosa. They are also more responsive to therapy. It might not even be necessary for hospitalization, save for severest of cases, which typically include dehydration. Good communication can help prevent all of this from happening.

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is certainly more severe of top two eating disorders that afflict young gymnastics athletes today. Anorexia is rather like bulimia in that an anorexic does not allow food to be digested -- but they take it one step further, and avoid food completely. Laxative use may be present, as well, which is exceedingly dangerous. An anorexic will shy away from situations that involve food. Eventually, malnutrition will get to a point where blood pressure drops, body temperature drops, bone density decreases, hair falls out, and skin becomes grayish and scaly. Lanugo, a downy body hair, may also develop. Anorexia is fatal in up to ten percent of cases, and if it is not, it may require hospitalization and psychiatric treatment in end.

This is, of course, why you must maintain communication with your gymnast and his or her coaches. Encourage your child or children. Don’t let emotional distress develop into something far more serious. Let them know that they are already incredible for their involvement with gymnastics. They don’t need to take mean comments to heart -- and they do need to relax occasionally. Have fun with them! It’s best for all involved.

And with that, good luck to you.

By Murray Hughes Gymnastics Secrets Revealed ”The book EVERY gymnastics parent should read”

http://www.gymnasticssecretsrevealed.com/gymnastics-articles/gymnastics-eating-disorders.htm

Certainly, her coaches had a lot to do with her success. They gave her practical experience needed for proper training and for creativity she displays in her favored events. Good gymnastics schools, dedication to her work, and certainly allure of championships kept her motivated, and as she won title after title, she improved with help of internationally renowned teams of gymnasts. And, too, love of sport itself inspired by her coaches and her mentors aided her to point where she is today…but to attribute all of her success to work of these individuals would be erroneous without, of course, mentioning her parents.

Her mother, Natalie, and her father, Ricky, played perhaps most important role in any young person’s life. They gave her encouragement; they were there when she needed them. This goes doubly for Miss Patterson, for they also showed confidence and interest in her gymnastics endeavors--in fact, by enrolling her in Gymnastics Elite, they gave her a good running start for motivation. It was with their help, too, that she got through some of most difficult times of her career thus far. An injury to her elbow kept her out of several national and international championships; it was with her parents’ support that she was rehabilitated, and has now risen to become an Olympic star.

You, as a parent of a gymnast, can certainly take this to heart. You don’t have to be particularly well off to give your gymnast confidence they need to become best. In fact, all you have to do is encourage your child; if they show interest in sport, let them participate. If they do well, encourage them further.

They’re already champions.

By Murray Hughes Gymnastics Secrets Revealed ”The book EVERY gymnastics parent should read”

http://www.gymnasticssecretsrevealed.com/gymnastics-articles/carly-patterson.htm