Feature / Dr Misia Gervis, Lara Baker & Osimeiro Imoedemhe

Recently, mental health and player wellbeing has been more openly discussed with an acknowledgement that clubs need to take responsibility for player welfare. Indeed, it has been well documented that footballers are at risk of experiencing a range of mental health problems. Research has identified that up to 26% of current and 42% of former footballers reported suffering from disordered eating and eating disorders, and approximately 26% of current and 39% of former players have experienced anxiety and depression. However, eating disorders can easily be missed and are difficult to diagnose within football, as their distinguishing features are often too readily accepted as a normal part of an elite athletic lifestyle. Full Article