Weight Control Is A Serious Issue

Short term tricks to make a specific weight may lead to long term problems for the gymnast including anorexia and bulimia.

Weight control techniques should only be initiated and practiced under the direct supervision of a physician. Nobody, and I do mean nobody, can simply eyeball any athlete (or individual) and make an accurate assessment regarding weight loss issues and dietary needs.

“Weight” is basically irrelevant. Muscle tends to weigh more than fat, so, in effect, a “fit” gymnast could weigh more now than when she had more body fat. The gymnast could be in better shape although the scale says she currently weighs more.

The ratio of lean muscle tissue to fat is most important, especially to an athlete where the power to weight ratio is critical in the performance of some skills. In addition, the long term effects of repetitive exercise may also raise the potential for injury quicker in an athlete that may be a few pounds overweight.

In my opinion, no coach should be prescribing or even suggesting the gymnast alter her diet without having a medical evaluation to find the ratio of fat to lean muscle tissue of that gymnast.

To find the ratio of fat to lean muscle tissue, underwater weighing or taking measurements with the use of skin calipers at specific anatomical sites can help determine a base score.

Subsequent testing, combined with tracking of food intake and workout intensity, may be evaluated by a medical professional to determine the proper course of action from a dietary standpoint for a particular athlete. If the results suggest a change in diet, that change should only occur with the advice and guidance of a qualified nutritionist.

Again, both of these methods should be performed by someone who is medically qualified to make an assessment of the gymnast’s physical condition.

Throughout my years in coaching, I have seen and heard several different weight loss mythologies proposed by well-meaning coaches that ultimately had no effect on the athlete’s physiology, but I wonder, what was the cost to the child’s self-esteem?

I remember a night before a state championships meet. Everyone was getting ready for bed in their hotel rooms, and the gymnasts were looking forward to a yogurt snack before lights out. Having forgotten to get spoons with their snack, I was nominated to scrounge up some utensils and take them to the girl’s rooms.

Breaking safety protocols, and basic common sense, one of the younger gymnasts opened the hotel room door on my first knock before the other girls in the room could hide suitcases filled with candy of all sorts, potato chips, licorice, cupcakes – everything that was the antithesis of healthy eating.

Realizing I could get my car washed for at least the next month by not ratting them out to the “head” coaches, I did warn them that they better do great in the meet the next day or there could be negative consequences.

They did do great at the meet.

And, as a coach I realized that each gymnast, and usually her mom, ultimately have the most control over the athlete’s diet.

Mom has a large degree of control because of what foods she buys and the meals she makes for the family. (By the way, that is not sexist. Mom’s still are basically in charge of family finances and deciding what is for dinner.)

Also, I have never seen any child, from baby to young adult, that ever ate anything they didn’t want to eat. They either spit it out as a baby or drove Mom crazy until she finally threw the Brussel Sprouts in the trash.

Ultimately at home, school, and social functions, the athlete makes the choice of what she eats.

A person’s weight is an extremely personal issue. Insensitive comments about weight can have lasting emotional effects.

The best diet for competitive gymnasts is to provide them with good food choices at home, school, and on the road; a good nutritional education; knowledge of what effect nutrition can have on achieving her competitive goals, and a support system of parents, coaching staff, and appropriate medical personnel. The effects of any weight loss program for child and adolescent athletes should be closely monitored.

Warning: Playing games with weight loss and dieting could have negative effects on your child’s metabolism and ability to maintain a healthy weight throughout the rest of her life. Always check with qualified medical professionals before embarking on any program of weight loss.