Women participating in the aesthetic sports of cheerleading, gymnastics, dance, and swimming are more prone to develop eating disorders and higher levels of body dissatisfaction than non-athletes. In addition to successful performance levels, female athletes participating in shape-based sports are expected to maintain a contradicting thin-build body type that not only satisfies society’s standards to look thin but also demonstrates the strength required to perform in specific sports. Female athletes are faced with sociocultural pressures that can lead to adopting thin-idealism, and further result in serious effects on an athlete’s perception of themselves, as well as their physical health. Social comparison and diet culture are other factors that contribute to an athlete’s unhealthy behaviors, and society’s involvement in media to equate beauty with women who have thin bodies and persuade individuals to never feel satisfied with their appearance is so long-established that many athletes strive for perfectionism. This study evaluated the relationship between female athletes in aesthetic sports and their feelings towards their body composition, eating habits, and self-esteem through an online questionnaire. Statistical analysis was conducted to determine trends, if any, between subgroups of respondents (n=58) who identify between 18 to 25 years old and have previously or currently participated in cheerleading, gymnastics, dance, and/or swimming. Data revealed that a majority of respondents often feel insecure about how their body looks during sports participation, and often experience social comparison to their teammates/peers. The most frequent activity to change body composition resulted in skipping meals/hunger cues among cheerleaders, dancers, and gymnasts, while swimmers engaged most in exercising more than once a day. Athletes with 10 or more years of athletic involvement also stated that they moderately to strongly related to the statement: “I think a lot about looking thin.” Ultimately, analysis supports that the sports industry requires more awareness of the health risks associated with certain sports, and how athletes and their coaches lack health-related education regarding proper nutrition, exercise, and body acceptance.

This paper focuses on the relationship between modern beauty ideals in today’s society and its catalyzation and/or effect on perpetuating eating disorders in young females. Further, this paper utilizes a primary case study to propose a more accurate and modernized approach to disordered eating – specifically anorexia-nervosa. A review of the literature on modern beauty in the present day in association with eating disorders was conducted and further utilized in conjunction to conduct research on eating disorder symptomatology, the prevailing gaps surrounding disordered eating, a more renewed way towards recovery, and further recommended insights for external groups. Although much of the long-established research pertaining to eating disorder recovery stands at a general level to advocate traditional recovery methods, what still lacks is the increasing correlation between the vulgarity of modern beauty standards and its role in recovery. As evident through primary and secondary sources of literature, this paper attempts to address the growing gaps in scholarly research pertaining to the lack of recovery recourse and further delineates and analyzes a few research questions. With this being said, the case study in this paper arguably amplifies the strong reproach for a more relatable recovery discourse from an autobiographical point of view and advocates for additional research to be completed regarding diagnostic management. The findings of my research have resulted in a six-step recovery model for individuals struggling with disordered eating and will be further supported by documentary analysis.