Eating Disorders in Cycling: Recognizing the Warning Signs and Seeking Help

Introduction

This may be the least “fun” topic you’ll ever read in a cycling article—but it might also be the most important.

In a sport where a 2-kilogram weight difference can decide climbing results, the obsession with weight can easily slide from healthy self-management into a dangerous abyss. In the professional peloton, from Chris Froome to Chloe Dygert, many top athletes have publicly spoken about their battles with eating disorders. Among amateur riders, the problem is equally prevalent, just less talked about.

What Is an Eating Disorder?

An eating disorder is not merely “eating too little” or “caring too much about weight.” It is a serious mental health condition that takes many forms:

Anorexia Nervosa

• Extreme restriction of food intake
• Intense fear of weight gain
• Distorted perception of one’s own body shape
• Believing one is too heavy even when clearly underweight

Bulimia Nervosa

• Recurrent binge-eating episodes
• Followed by “compensation” through self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, or laxative abuse
• Intense feelings of shame and secrecy

Eating Disorders Specific to Athletes

More common in cycling are forms that are harder to recognize:

Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S): Long-term inadequate energy intake to support training demands, leading to a range of physiological dysfunctions. This is not necessarily intentional—some riders simply “forget to eat” because of their heavy training load.

Ride-and-Binge Cycle: Strictly restricting food before and during training, leading to extreme hunger and binge-eating afterward.

Extreme “Clean Eating” (Orthorexia): An excessive obsession with food “purity,” eliminating more and more food groups until the diet becomes extremely restrictive.

Risk Factors in Cycling Culture

Why are cyclists particularly vulnerable to eating disorders?

A Data-Driven Culture

Modern cycling is a highly quantified sport. Power meters, heart rate straps, body fat scales, food tracking apps—we are surrounded by countless numbers. When this pursuit of data extends to food and weight, compulsive behaviors can easily develop.

The Cult of Power-to-Weight Ratio

The belief that “lighter is faster” is deeply ingrained in cycling culture. Social media is flooded with photos showcasing low body fat, and Strava KOM battles indirectly fuel a competition over weight.

The “Rationalization” Effect of Endurance Sports

Long training hours can “legitimately” burn large amounts of calories. Overtraining (as a purging behavior) looks like “dedicated training” to outsiders. A rider who trains 5 hours a day is seen as “hardworking” by fellow cyclists; but if the primary motivation is to alleviate the anxiety of having eaten a slice of cake, that is a problem.

Positive Reinforcement from Performance

Weight loss is almost always accompanied by performance gains in the early stages. This positive feedback reinforces restrictive eating behaviors—until a tipping point is reached and everything begins to unravel. But by then, the behavioral pattern may already be deeply entrenched.

Recognizing the Warning Signs

Self-Assessment

If you answer “yes” to three or more of the following questions, it is recommended that you seek professional help:

1. Do you often feel anxious before a ride because of certain foods you’ve eaten?
2. Do you change your eating plan for the day because your weight is 0.5 kg higher than expected?
3. Do you feel pressured in social situations to avoid “unhealthy” foods?
4. Have you ever deliberately skipped fueling during a long ride to “burn more fat”?
5. Do you add unscheduled training sessions because you “ate too much”?
6. Do you weigh yourself frequently (more than once a day)?
7. Do you feel uncomfortable or anxious at group ride meals?
8. Is your menstrual cycle irregular or has it stopped? (Female riders)
9. Do you often feel cold, even in room-temperature environments?
10. Do you find yourself “eliminating” more and more food groups?

Warning Signs to Observe in Teammates

If you are part of a team or a coach, watch for the following signs:

• Significant weight loss over a short period
• Deliberately avoiding energy gels or sports drinks during rides
• Unusual sensitivity to conversations about food and weight
• Making excuses not to eat, or eating only tiny amounts, at group meals
• Sudden performance decline, especially on long rides
• Frequent injuries or illnesses
• Thinning hair or brittle nails
• Large mood swings and social withdrawal
• Doing additional exercise immediately after a ride (such as running or weight training)

RED-S: The Energy Deficit You May Not Realize You Have

RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport) is a relatively new concept that has replaced the former “Female Athlete Triad.” It affects athletes of all genders.

The Physiological Effects of RED-S

Long-term energy deficiency leads to a cascade of physiological problems:

• Hormonal disruption: Decreased testosterone and estrogen, thyroid dysfunction
• Reduced bone density: Significantly increased risk of stress fractures
• Suppressed immune function: Frequent colds and upper respiratory infections
• Cardiovascular issues: Abnormal resting heart rate, arrhythmias
• Digestive dysfunction: Slowed gastrointestinal motility, constipation
• Cognitive decline: Poor concentration, sluggish reactions
• Mood problems: Anxiety, depression, irritability

The Performance Impact of RED-S

Ironically, RED-S ultimately severely undermines the very athletic performance you are trying to improve:

• Reduced training adaptation
• Deteriorating endurance performance
• Prolonged recovery time
• Increased injury risk
• Impaired muscle protein synthesis
• Reduced glycogen storage capacity

How to Find a Healthy Balance

Building a Healthy Mindset Around Food

1. Food is fuel, and it’s also enjoyment: Don’t reduce food to mere numbers. A slice of cake won’t ruin your training, just as a salad won’t win you the race.

2. There are no “good” foods and “bad” foods: All foods have nutritional value and a place in life.

3. Listen to your body’s signals: Hunger is your body telling you it needs energy. Suppressing hunger is not discipline; it’s neglect of your body.

4. Performance > Appearance: Focus on what you can do, not on how you look.

Building a Support System

• Share your feelings with a teammate or coach you trust
• If you notice any of the warning signs above in yourself, consult a sports nutritionist or a psychological counselor
• Advocate for a healthy food culture within your team and avoid negative comments about weight

Professional Resources

If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, the following resources can help:

• Psychosomatic medicine or psychiatry departments at major medical centers in Taiwan: Provide professional treatment for eating disorders
• Sports nutritionists: Help establish healthy eating plans
• Sports psychologists/counselors: Address psychological issues related to athletic performance
• Anxin Hotline: 1925 (24-hour free psychological counseling)

Conclusion

Cycling should bring joy, health, and a sense of accomplishment to your life. If anxiety about weight and food is eroding these positive experiences, do not hesitate to seek help. Admitting you need help is not a sign of weakness—quite the opposite, it is one of the bravest decisions you can make for yourself.

Remember: your worth is not determined by the number on the scale, and your cycling performance is not the sum total of your life’s achievements. Take care of yourself, and you’ll be able to go further on this journey.

Related Reading

• When “Eating Clean” Becomes a Disease: The Risk of Eating Disorders in Athletes and How to Recognize Them
• Warning Signs of Eating Disorders and Relative Energy Deficiency in Athletes: How to Self-Detect, Support Others, and When to Seek Help
• Dietary Health for Cyclists: The Art of Balancing Weight Management and Performance
• When Exercise Becomes a Prison: On the Road to Recovery from Eating Disorders, Is Exercise a Cure or a Poison?