Health and performance consequences of various extreme weight control behaviours
| Weight control behaviour | Physiological effects and health consequences | Effect on performance |
|---|---|---|
| Fasting or starvation | Energy and nutrient deficiency, glycogen depletion, loss of lean body mass, a decrease in metabolic rate and reduced bone mineral density | Poor exercise performance due to general weakness, reduced ability to cope with pressure, decreased muscle force, and increased susceptibility for diseases and injuries |
| Diet pills | Typically function by suppressing appetite and may cause a slight increase in metabolic rate. May induce rapid heart rate, anxiety, nervousness, inability to sleep and dehydration. Any weight lost is quickly regained once use is discontinued | Indirectly results in poor performance and may be classified as doping |
| Laxatives or enemas | Weight loss is primarily water and any weight lost is regained once use is discontinued. Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, constipation, cathartic colon and steatorrhoea (excessive fat in the faeces) are common | May affect concentration and hydration status. May be addictive and athlete can develop resistance, thus requiring larger and larger doses to produce the same effect |
| Diuretics | Weight loss is primarily water and any weight lost is quickly regained once use is discontinued. Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances are not uncommon | Poor performance and classified as doping |
| Self-induced vomiting | Large body water losses can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Gastrointestinal problems, including oesophagitis, oesophageal perforation and oesophageal ulcers may occur | May lead to electrolyte imbalance. Largely ineffective in promoting weight (body fat) loss |
| Saunas | Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances can occur in extreme cases | Weight loss is primarily water and any weight lost is quickly regained once fluids are replaced |
| Excessive exercise | If combined with low energy availability it will increase risk of staleness, chronic fatigue, illness, overuse, injury and menstrual dysfunction | Experience the effect of lack of recovery |
Modified from Beals.30