College Cheerleaders and Eating Disorders

Cheerleaders are often photographed and pictured on the television screen. You know what they say "The camera adds 10 pounds." Cheerleaders, especially college aged, feel pressure to look "picture perfect" while performing in front of thousands of people.

When auditions are taking place for recruiting cheerleaders, many coaches focus on appearance first and then dance/athletic ability. When they don't meet the "appropriate standards" of their coaches their self-esteem and body image begin to crash. Along with individuals pressuring them to fit the "cookie cutter image" many midriff, bearing uniforms are contributing to how cheerleaders view their bodies. "The cheerleaders who are required to wear a uniform that revealed a midriff are most disposed to having problems with body image.("Collge Cheerleaders at risk for Eating Disorders", 2010)." If you were wearing revealing outfits, wouldn't you feel self conscious about your body too? Many cheerleaders may not have rock solid abs, and to put your stomach on display can affect you mentally and physically.

Athletes who participate in aesthetic sports, such as cheerleading, are at a higher risk for eating disorders compared to participants of non-aesthetic sports. More women are diagnosed with having eating disorders compared to men. This puts cheerleaders at a greater risk for eating disorders because cheerleading is predominantly a female sport.

People are always going to feel pressured on how they look and compare themselves with other individuals. It is important to accept everyone for who they are and to accept all body types. By making cheerleading uniforms less revealing female cheerleaders may become less concious about their bodies.

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