About 9.5% of elite young athletes in Sweden screened positive for eating disorders, with girls being 3.5 times more likely than boys to show signs of disordered eating. According to Gram Research analysis of this survey of nearly 8,000 athletes, regularly skipping meals, following vegetarian or vegan diets, and competing in individual sports were strongly linked to eating disorder risk. Half of all young athletes reported practical barriers to eating well, mainly lack of time, suggesting that better school support and time management could help prevent eating problems.
A major study of nearly 8,000 elite young athletes in Sweden found that about 9.5% showed signs of eating disorders. Researchers discovered that girls, athletes who skip meals regularly, vegetarians and vegans, and those doing individual sports were at higher risk. The study also found that half of these young athletes faced practical challenges with eating, like not having enough time to prepare food. According to Gram Research analysis, these findings highlight the need for better support in sports schools to help young athletes develop healthy eating habits and prevent serious eating problems that could harm both their health and athletic performance.
Key Statistics
A 2026 cross-sectional survey of 7,993 elite sport pupils in Sweden found that 9.5% screened positive for eating disorders, with girls being 3.5 times more likely than boys to show signs of disordered eating.
Among Swedish elite young athletes, those who regularly skipped meals were 2.31 times more likely to screen positive for eating disorders compared to those who ate regularly, according to the 2023 survey.
Nearly half (49.1%) of elite sport pupils in Sweden reported at least one practical barrier to healthy eating, most commonly lack of time, which was associated with increased eating disorder screening rates.
Young athletes following vegetarian or vegan diets were 1.87 times more likely to screen positive for eating disorders in a Swedish study of 7,993 elite sport pupils, suggesting dietary restrictions may require additional nutritional support.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: How many elite young athletes in Sweden have signs of eating disorders, and what factors make it more likely for them to develop unhealthy eating patterns.
- Who participated: Nearly 8,000 pupils from elite sports schools across Sweden who were surveyed in spring 2023. These were young athletes training at high levels in various sports.
- Key finding: About 9.5% of the young athletes screened positive for eating disorders. Girls were 3.5 times more likely to show signs of eating disorders than boys. Athletes who regularly skipped meals were 2.3 times more likely to have eating disorder signs.
- What it means for you: If you or someone you know is an elite young athlete, especially a girl or someone doing individual sports, it’s important to pay attention to eating habits. Having enough time to eat properly and getting support from coaches and schools can help prevent eating problems. Talk to a trusted adult if you’re struggling with food or eating.
The Research Details
Researchers surveyed nearly 8,000 young athletes at elite sports schools in Sweden during spring 2023. They asked questions about eating habits, practical challenges with food, and used a screening tool called SCOFF to identify signs of eating disorders. The SCOFF is a simple questionnaire that helps doctors spot potential eating disorder problems. The study looked at how different factors like being male or female, the type of sport played, diet choices, and practical barriers related to eating were connected to eating disorder signs. Researchers used statistical methods to figure out which factors were most strongly linked to eating disorder screening results.
This is the first large study of its kind in Sweden’s elite sports school system. Understanding eating disorder risk in young athletes is crucial because eating disorders can seriously damage health and athletic performance. By identifying which young athletes are at highest risk, schools and coaches can provide better support and prevention programs.
This study surveyed a very large number of participants (nearly 8,000), which makes the findings more reliable. The study was conducted across all of Sweden, so the results likely represent elite young athletes throughout the country. However, because this is a snapshot survey rather than following athletes over time, we can see which factors are linked to eating disorders but not prove that one thing causes another. The study relied on self-reported information, which means some athletes might not have answered completely honestly about their eating habits.
What the Results Show
Nearly 1 in 10 elite young athletes (9.5%) showed signs that could indicate an eating disorder based on the SCOFF screening tool. Being female was the strongest risk factor, with girls being 3.5 times more likely to screen positive than boys. Young athletes who regularly skipped meals were 2.3 times more likely to show eating disorder signs. Those who followed vegetarian or vegan diets were 1.87 times more likely to screen positive. Athletes doing individual sports like gymnastics, figure skating, or wrestling had higher rates than those in team sports. Interestingly, young athletes who felt they had good knowledge about healthy eating were less likely to screen positive for eating disorders.
About half of all the young athletes surveyed (49.1%) reported at least one practical barrier to eating well. The most common barrier was lack of time, followed by lack of cooking skills. Using dietary supplements was associated with higher eating disorder screening rates. The more practical barriers an athlete faced, the higher their likelihood of screening positive for an eating disorder. This suggests that real-world challenges with finding time to eat and prepare food play an important role in eating problems among young athletes.
This is the first large-scale study of eating disorders in Swedish elite sports schools, so direct comparisons are limited. However, the 9.5% screening rate is consistent with research from other countries showing that eating disorders are more common in elite athletes than in the general population. The finding that girls are at much higher risk matches what researchers have found in other athletic populations. The connection between individual sports and higher eating disorder risk aligns with previous studies suggesting that sports emphasizing appearance or weight categories carry greater risk.
This study only took a snapshot at one point in time, so we cannot say that skipping meals causes eating disorders, only that they are linked. The study relied on athletes’ honest answers about their eating habits, and some may not have answered truthfully. The SCOFF screening tool can identify potential eating disorders but is not a diagnosis, so some athletes who screened positive may not actually have an eating disorder. The study did not include information about family history, mental health, or other factors that might influence eating disorder risk. We also do not know how many athletes who screened positive actually received help or treatment.
The Bottom Line
Elite sports schools should implement programs to help young athletes develop healthy eating habits and manage their time better. Schools should provide free or affordable meals and teach cooking skills. Coaches and staff should be trained to recognize signs of eating problems and know how to help. Young athletes, especially girls and those in individual sports, should have access to nutrition counseling and mental health support. If you are an elite young athlete struggling with eating, talk to a school counselor, coach, or doctor. These recommendations are based on strong evidence from this large study.
Elite young athletes, especially girls and those competing in individual sports, should pay attention to these findings. Parents and guardians of young athletes should be aware of eating disorder risk factors. Coaches, teachers, and staff at sports schools should understand these findings to better support their athletes. Sports organizations and school administrators should use this information to develop better support systems. Young athletes in team sports or those with strong nutrition knowledge may be at lower risk but should still maintain healthy eating habits.
Eating disorder prevention works best when started early. Changes to school meal programs and time management support could help athletes immediately. Mental health and nutrition counseling benefits typically appear over weeks to months as athletes develop healthier habits. Long-term benefits of prevention programs may take a full season or year to fully show in athletic performance and overall health.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of young elite athletes have eating disorders?
About 9.5% of elite young athletes in Sweden screened positive for eating disorders in a 2023 survey of nearly 8,000 pupils. Girls showed higher rates than boys, being 3.5 times more likely to screen positive. However, screening positive does not always mean someone has a diagnosed eating disorder.
Are girls more likely to develop eating disorders in sports?
Yes, girls were 3.5 times more likely than boys to screen positive for eating disorders in this Swedish study of elite athletes. Girls in individual sports like gymnastics and figure skating showed particularly high rates. This pattern matches findings from other countries studying young athletes.
What practical problems do young athletes face with eating?
About half of elite young athletes reported at least one barrier to eating well. The most common problems were lack of time and lack of cooking skills. These practical barriers were linked to higher rates of eating disorder screening, suggesting that helping athletes manage time and learn cooking could reduce eating problems.
Does skipping meals increase eating disorder risk in athletes?
Young athletes who regularly skipped meals were 2.31 times more likely to screen positive for eating disorders. While this shows a strong connection, skipping meals alone does not cause eating disorders. However, regular meal skipping combined with other factors like time pressure or stress may increase risk.
How can sports schools help prevent eating disorders?
Schools can provide free meals, teach cooking skills, help athletes manage time better, and train staff to recognize eating problems. Offering nutrition counseling and mental health support specifically for athletes is also important. Creating a supportive environment where athletes feel comfortable discussing food and eating challenges helps prevent serious eating disorders.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track daily meal completion and time spent on food preparation. Log whether you skipped any meals and note practical barriers you faced (lack of time, cooking skills, access to food). Rate your confidence in nutrition knowledge weekly. Monitor these factors alongside mood and athletic performance to spot patterns.
- Set a daily reminder to eat three meals plus snacks. Use the app to plan meals for the week when you have free time, reducing daily cooking stress. Log practical barriers as they happen so you can problem-solve with coaches or nutritionists. Track your nutrition knowledge by completing short educational modules in the app.
- Review your eating patterns monthly to identify trends. Compare weeks when you had more time versus less time to see how it affects your eating. Track correlation between meal skipping and energy levels or athletic performance. Share monthly reports with a school counselor or nutritionist to adjust support as needed.
This research identifies risk factors and screening results for eating disorders but does not provide medical diagnosis or treatment advice. If you or someone you know shows signs of an eating disorder, including restrictive eating, binge eating, purging, or obsessive thoughts about food and body image, please consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian, or mental health professional. Eating disorders are serious medical conditions requiring professional treatment. This article is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.