Eating disorders usually strike people who suffer from depression and low self-esteem. Instead of treating just the eating disorder, it is crucial to find out what is causing the depression and to treat accordingly. Sport can actually act as a deterrent to eating disorders, because girls who participate in athletics benefit from higher than average levels of self-esteem. Women who were active in sports and recreational activities as girls generally have increased confidence and self-esteem and a more positive body image. Women who continue to exercise have lower levels of blood sugar, cholesterol and triglycerides and lower blood pressure than nonexercising women.
Sport is one of the strongest socializing factors in any society.
The skills learned while playing games as a youth serve as preparatory skills for playing the game of life. Discipline, teamwork, time management, how to deal with pressure and how to cope with failure are just a few of the lessons learned on the playing field. Sport is an activity that can be enjoyed by all without negative repercussions. The key is to balance an active, physical lifestyle with healthy eating habits in an effort to gain the greatest satisfaction out of life. Benita Fitzgerald Mosley is president of the Women's Sports Foundation and a three-time Olympian.