England rugby star Ellie Kildunne revealed she suffered from disordered eating and body dysmorphia during the coronavirus lockdown [1].
This disclosure highlights the mental health struggles often hidden by professional athletes, particularly during periods of isolation and extreme physical requirements of the sport.
Kildunne, a World Cup winner [2], described a period of intense struggle during the 2020 lockdown [3]. She said, "I ended up having a terrible relationship with food."
During this time, she faced challenges with body dysmorphia and unhealthy weight loss [4]. She said, "I struggled with an eating disorder and other health issues during the coronavirus lockdown."
Professional athletes often face immense pressure to maintain a specific body type for their position or role within a team. The lockdown period, combined with the unhealthy weight loss, contributed to a complex relationship with food and body image.
Kildunne's account provides a window into the same pressures that often affect high-performance sports. By speaking out, she provides a broader context for the rest of the league and the other athletes who may be facing similar challenges in their workplace environment.
Kildunne's journey from these struggles to winning a World Cup [2] emphasizes the recovery process and the same pressures that can affect even the most successful athletes in the world.
“I ended up having a terrible relationship with food.”
The public admission of eating disorders and body dysmorphia by a high-profile athlete like Kildunne brings attention to the same pressures inherent in professional sports. It shifts the focus from physical performance to the same mental health support systems necessary for athletes to sustain long-performance careers. It also underscores the same pressures that often affect athletes during periods of isolation, such as the 2020 lockdown.
