Gender Identity & Eating Disorders in Athletes: Perspectives from an Eating Disorder Therapist in NJ
If you have been following along in my blogs, by now you are aware of how prevalent eating disorders are in athletes. Well, another population that is also at a higher risk of developing an eating disorder is the transgender population. Most transgender folx feel a dissatisfaction with their body due to their gender identity and sex assigned at birth. Now, imagine someone who identifies as transgender and as an athlete.
Research is unfortunately limited on transgender athletes and the likelihood of eating disorders. However, I would imagine, based on the information above, that it is much more likely than cisgender athletes. As an eating disorder therapist in NJ, I believe it's crucial to continue supporting the unique needs of this intersectional group through advocacy and accessible eating disorder therapy.
Body Dysmorphia vs. Body Dysphoria
Negative body image looks a bit different for those struggling with body dysphoria. This is when someone feels uncomfortable in their body due to the feeling that their gender identity does not match their physical appearance. Body dysmorphia plays a factor in negative body image by distorting one's perception of their appearance. The combination of body dysphoria and body dysmorphia can leave transgender people feeling uncomfortable in their skin and desperate to try to change.
Gender Identity and the Athletic Environment
Transgender and non-binary athletes are faced with specific challenges, such as policies around which teams and where they can play, discomfort in locker rooms or with team uniforms, and increased scrutiny and misgendering in sports settings. Not only are they dealing with these internal mismatches of emotions around their body, but they are also being told they do not fit in “enough” to play on specific teams or use certain locker rooms.
The Intersection: When Gender Identity, Sports, and Eating Disorders Collide
Transgender athletes have been seen experiencing higher rates of secrecy, shame, and isolation from others. Transgender college students were shown to be four times more likely to have an eating disorder. A specific example of how this may look different in this population is if a transmasculine athlete is restricting food to reduce feminine-like features, such as curves or a period. Transfeminine athletes may be seen over-exercising to try and reduce muscle mass, in an effort to feel more feminine in their body.
There is sometimes a resistance to treatment for eating disorders in settings that are not gender-congruent with how they identify. Many eating disorder facilities accept clients based on gender and are not gender-inclusive, along with being restrictive with movement goals for athletes.
Insights from an Eating Disorder Therapist in New Jersey
As an eating disorder therapist in NJ, I am surrounded by mainly progressive laws, but stigma still persists in athletes. With laws changing all over the country, many do not feel safe, even in a more progressive state. A great resource to keep in mind in New Jersey is the organization, Garden State Equality. This is NJ’s largest LGBTQ+ advocacy and education organization with a mission to provide community resources and help pass policies to protect the LGBTQ+ community of New Jersey. If you are looking to be an ally or support your own rights, check out Garden State Equality on how to be proactive.
Inclusive Care and Prevention
For folks that have a supportive and caring support network, rates of depression, anxiety, and isolation have been shown to decrease. Implementing this type of relationship dynamic into athletic departments is a necessity. For coaches, this would look like using gender-neutral language so that nobody feels excluded, no matter how they identify. Avoiding weighing athletes or enforcing weight standards can help reduce weight stigma; however, it can be difficult for weight-based sports like wrestling, rowing, or weight lifting. Normalizing conversations around mental health, identity, and eating disorders will help those struggling with any of these topics feel more comfortable seeking eating disorder therapy in NJ. However, this entails educational opportunities for coaches and athletic teams.
Why Support Systems Matter for Gender Identity and Eating Disorders
Parental support can look like validating gender identity and educating themself around the intersection of sport, identity, and body image. Don’t assume disordered eating is just about appearance. It is often a way to feel in control when you feel so out of control and uncomfortable in your own skin.
The importance of connection allows folks to feel validated, heard, and accepted when so much of the world is pushing them away. For many, a chosen family is what helps them feel supported and cared for throughout their life. This acceptance helps reduce the risks of mental health illnesses such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and suicide. Support from family or friends helps them feel validated with their gender identity and have a safe, judgment-free place to talk about body image, gender dysphoria, body dysmorphia, and disordered behaviors. At Serendipity Counseling Services, we provide extended support through specialized eating disorder therapy for athletes.
Takeaways from an Eating Disorder Therapist in NJ
Eating disorders in transgender or non-binary athletes require education around cultural sensitivity.
No matter how you identify, eating disorder recovery is possible with a gender-affirming care team.
If you are not sure how to support someone you know, reach out for professional help from an eating disorder therapist in NJ who works with athletes and is gender-affirming. Navigating this intersection can feel complicated, and learning how to support others can be a factor in how they heal.
Find Affirming, Identity-Aware Support with an Eating Disorder Therapist in NJ
Navigating gender identity and athletic pressure can be uniquely challenging, and you don’t have to face it alone. At Serendipity Counseling Services, we offer a supportive space where athletes of all identities can explore their relationship with food, body, and self with care and compassion.
Here’s how to get started:
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to share your concerns and ask any questions.
Book your first eating disorder therapy session with an eating disorder therapist in NJ who understands the intersection of sport, identity, and healing.
Begin your path toward self-acceptance and strength in your body, your sport, and your sense of self.
Additional Services Offered in New Jersey for Athlete Wellness
In addition to providing eating disorder therapy for athletes in Cherry Hill, NJ, I offer dedicated support for runners. Through speaking engagements, I work to promote more inclusive, informed conversations around food, body image, and sport.
I also facilitate the Retired Athlete Support Group, an online space where former athletes can process their experiences in sports, explore life beyond competition, and reconnect with their identity in a welcoming, judgment-free setting.
About the Author: Your Eating Disorder Therapist in NJ
Kate Ringwood, LPC, is the founder of Serendipity Counseling Services and a seasoned eating disorder therapist serving athletes in Cherry Hill, NJ. As a former collegiate runner, Kate brings deep insight into the mental and emotional challenges athletes face, especially when it comes to food, body image, and high-performance expectations.
Kate’s approach is rooted in both empathy and expertise, offering a nonjudgmental space for clients to explore their relationship with their bodies and reclaim their sense of self. Outside of one-on-one therapy, she is an active voice in the field, regularly speaking and podcasting about the intersection of athletic identity, mental health, and eating disorder recovery.
