Athletes of all ages suffer from body image issues and seek validation not only from others but themselves as well. 

     In the world of sports and exercise athletes have been given a certain body image look that they have to follow, for example, the lean, but also muscular image that they have to have to be considered an athletic person. 

     “I think that most athletes have problems with body image because they see professional athletes and compare themselves to them and it causes them to look down on their own body,” said junior Cyrus Arneson.

     According to recent research “athletes have two body images—one in sport and one outside of sport” when wanting the athletic body but also wanting the slim body it can cause an eating disorder from trying to have both.

     “I agree with this statement because having body issues most likely means you are not confident in your own skin which could lead to mental health problems and eating disorders,”  said Arneson.

     The need to have validation not only from people around the athlete but from the athlete itself can have a toll on their mental health. They could either be too skinny or fat to be an athlete, then they are either too muscular to be a girl.

     “It’s easier for athletes to burn out. If they see that they aren’t at the top, it pushes them to work harder to get to that point. It messes with your brain to have to push extra, I know from experience that it can lead to injury or lack of focus on the game,” senior Patricia Barnes said.

     Female athletes are most likely to be categorized as not being confident in their own bodies. According to an article on female fitness “The sport is increasing in popularity and appeals specifically to young females by consolidating with the modern female, athletic body ideal”.

     “I think the need for satisfaction from others means that it forces the athletes to stay attentive to what they do and honestly be extra critical of themselves and maybe extra hard on themselves,” says Barnes. 

     Although some might say that being an athlete is all about running, the gym, and overall fitness. Others say that it’s more than just that. 

     “The hardest part of being an athlete for me is managing time. I have practice and along with that I have homework, not only that I have chores and spending time with family and having a social life,” says junior Joshua Rodriguez. 

       Being an athlete is not all about the desired body image that everyone wants but more about what makes the athlete happy doing what they do.

     “Your body image doesn’t define you, so look at yourself from a different perspective and appreciate it,” Rodriguez said.