One in 10 Swedish elite sport pupils screened positive for likely eating disorders

A survey of nearly 8,000 pupils found girls and athletes in individual sports were particularly vulnerable, with time pressures and limited cooking skills creating barriers to regular meals.

A new Swedish study has found that almost one in 10 pupils at the country’s elite sport schools screened positive for likely eating disorders, underscoring concerns about how tightly packed training and study schedules can shape young athletes’ relationship with food. According to research published in the Journal of Eating Disorders, the survey covered 7,993 pupils in spring 2023 and is one of the largest examinations yet of eating habits and health in this setting.

The findings suggest that the risk is not evenly spread. Girls were far more likely than boys to screen positive, while pupils who regularly skipped meals, followed vegetarian or vegan diets, used dietary supplements or competed in individual sports also showed stronger links with disordered eating. The study’s authors said practical obstacles were common too: about half of respondents reported at least one difficulty in managing daily meals, with lack of time and limited cooking ability the most frequent problems.

That matters because the study points not only to possible eating disorders, but also to a wider pattern of inadequate food intake. Researchers found that pupils who reported more barriers to eating were more likely to screen positive, while those who believed they knew more about what to eat for good health were less likely to do so. As the survey was cross-sectional, it cannot prove cause and effect, but it does suggest a close relationship between food routines, knowledge and vulnerability.

The Swedish findings fit a broader body of research showing that elite sport can bring added pressure around weight, food and performance. Earlier studies, including work in Norway and other athlete populations, have also found higher rates of eating disorders or eating disorder symptoms among athletes than in control groups, with female athletes often most affected. In the Swedish school system, the researchers argue that the response should be practical as well as educational, including better recognition of warning signs, support with cooking skills and access to free school meals to reduce daily strain on pupils.