ABSTRACT
In gymnastics, as in all artistic sports, special consideration is given to external appearance. Female gymnasts and particularly rhythmic gymnasts suffer from several pressures: the most direct is the pressure of the coach who, in most cases, is directly concerned by the weight of the gymnasts; the pressure of the judges or referees, who give a mark on aesthetic abilities and appearance; and the pressure of putting on weight, which may reduce their acrobatic abilities. These pressures may push the gymnasts and the coaches towards severe dietary habits, which may lead to a negative energy balance (Rosen & Hough, 1988). It has been demonstrated that the risks of eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia, are increased in athletes performing sports which emphasize leanness (Brotherhood, 1984; Jankauskiene· & Kardelis, 2005). Almost 100% of the reviewed articles agreed on the eating disorder among gymnasts. Evidence showed that such diets lead to a decreased performance and an increased risk of injuries, which might be associated to some severe health issues. Benardot (1999), for example, has attributed the incidence of stress fracture in rhythmic gymnastics to their negative energy balance and demonstrated that 86% of the high-level gymnasts had at least one serious injury per year.
