Researchers surveyed 325 female CrossFit athletes to understand how often they experience unhealthy eating patterns and obsessive exercise habits. They found that more than one-third of these athletes show signs of disordered eating—meaning they have unhealthy relationships with food—and most show signs of exercise dependence, where they feel compelled to exercise excessively. Athletes who only did CrossFit had more eating and exercise problems than those who mixed CrossFit with endurance training. The study suggests that the pressure to have a lean, muscular body in CrossFit culture may be contributing to these mental and physical health concerns.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How common unhealthy eating patterns and obsessive exercise habits are among female CrossFit athletes, and whether these problems are connected to body image issues and how they fuel their bodies.
  • Who participated: 325 female athletes who do CrossFit training. Some did only CrossFit, while others combined CrossFit with endurance sports like running. The study looked at their eating habits, exercise routines, and how they felt about their bodies.
  • Key finding: About 37 out of every 100 female CrossFit athletes showed warning signs of disordered eating, and about 85 out of every 100 showed signs of being overly dependent on exercise. Athletes who only did CrossFit had significantly more of these problems than those who mixed it with endurance training.
  • What it means for you: If you’re a female CrossFit athlete, it’s worth paying attention to your relationship with food and exercise. If you find yourself obsessing over your body shape, restricting food, or feeling unable to skip workouts, these may be warning signs worth discussing with a coach or healthcare provider. This doesn’t mean CrossFit is bad—it means the culture around it sometimes creates unhealthy pressures.

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional study, which is like taking a snapshot in time. Researchers asked 325 female CrossFit athletes to complete an online survey about their eating habits, exercise routines, body satisfaction, and how they fuel their bodies. They didn’t follow people over time or compare them to a control group—they just collected information from everyone at one point in time and looked for patterns.

The survey included questions designed to identify disordered eating (unhealthy eating patterns), exercise dependence (feeling unable to stop exercising), body dissatisfaction (unhappiness with how your body looks), and fueling practices (how and what they eat to support their training). Researchers then compared the responses between athletes who only did CrossFit and those who combined CrossFit with endurance activities like running or cycling.

This approach allowed researchers to see how common these issues are and which groups are most affected, though it can’t prove that one thing causes another.

This study matters because most research on eating disorders has focused on endurance athletes (like runners) and sports that emphasize appearance (like gymnastics). Very little research has looked at strength and resistance athletes like CrossFit competitors. Since CrossFit is increasingly popular and emphasizes building muscle and achieving low body fat, understanding the mental health risks is important for coaches, athletes, and healthcare providers.

This study has some strengths: it surveyed a reasonably large group of athletes (325 people) and used established screening tools designed to identify eating and exercise problems. However, there are limitations to consider: all participants volunteered to take the survey, so the results might not represent all CrossFit athletes (people with more serious problems might be more likely to participate). The study only included women, so we can’t apply these findings to male athletes. Additionally, because it’s a snapshot in time rather than following people over months or years, we can’t know if these problems develop because of CrossFit or if people with these tendencies are more drawn to CrossFit.

What the Results Show

The study found that disordered eating is surprisingly common among female CrossFit athletes. Specifically, 37.2% of participants—more than one-third—showed warning signs of disordered eating. This includes behaviors like severely restricting food intake, binge eating, or obsessing over calories and body composition. Even more striking, 84.6% of all participants showed signs of exercise dependence, meaning they felt compelled to exercise even when injured or tired, and experienced anxiety when they couldn’t work out.

When researchers compared the two groups, they found important differences. Female athletes who only did CrossFit had significantly higher rates of both disordered eating and exercise dependence compared to those who combined CrossFit with endurance training. This suggests that the specific culture and focus of CrossFit-only training may create more pressure around body image and exercise habits.

Among athletes showing signs of disordered eating, several patterns emerged. These athletes were more likely to train more days per week, had a stronger desire to build muscle, and followed strict dietary patterns to achieve their ideal body shape. They also reported higher levels of body dissatisfaction—meaning they were unhappy with how their bodies looked despite often being very fit.

The research revealed that body dissatisfaction and the desire for muscularity were closely linked to disordered eating. Athletes who wanted to be more muscular and were unhappy with their current body shape were significantly more likely to show eating problems. Additionally, the study found that specific fueling practices—how and what athletes eat to support their training—were connected to eating disorders. Some athletes were underfueling (not eating enough to support their training), which can lead to serious health problems including weakened bones, hormonal issues, and decreased performance.

Previous research has shown that disordered eating affects about 13-66% of endurance athletes like runners and cyclists, depending on the sport. This study’s finding that 37% of CrossFit athletes show signs of disordered eating suggests the problem is just as common in strength sports as in endurance sports. This is important because it challenges the assumption that eating disorders only happen in sports that emphasize being thin. The high rate of exercise dependence (85%) in this study is notably higher than rates typically found in other athletic populations, suggesting that the intense, community-focused nature of CrossFit may contribute to compulsive exercise behaviors.

Several important limitations should be considered. First, this study only included women, so we don’t know if male CrossFit athletes experience similar problems. Second, participants self-selected to take the survey, meaning people who were already concerned about their eating or exercise habits might have been more likely to participate, which could make the numbers seem higher than they actually are in the general CrossFit population. Third, the study is a snapshot in time—it doesn’t tell us whether these problems develop because of CrossFit or whether people with these tendencies are more attracted to CrossFit. Finally, the study relied on self-reported information, so some athletes might not have answered honestly about sensitive topics like eating and body image.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, here are evidence-based recommendations: (1) Female CrossFit athletes should be screened for disordered eating and exercise dependence as part of regular health check-ups—this is a moderate-confidence recommendation because the study clearly shows these problems are common. (2) Coaches should be trained to recognize warning signs of unhealthy eating and exercise patterns and know how to refer athletes to appropriate professionals. (3) Athletes should ensure they’re eating enough to support their training—underfueling is a serious concern. (4) If you’re a female CrossFit athlete and notice you’re obsessing over your body, restricting food, or unable to take rest days, talk to a healthcare provider or sports psychologist. These are moderate-confidence recommendations because the research shows these problems exist but doesn’t prove that specific interventions will fix them.

Female CrossFit athletes should definitely pay attention to these findings, especially if they’re focused on achieving very low body fat or building significant muscle. Coaches and gym owners should care because they can create a healthier culture around training and body image. Parents of young female athletes should be aware of these risks. Healthcare providers who work with athletes should use screening tools for both disordered eating and exercise dependence. However, it’s important to note that this study only included women, so we can’t apply these findings to male athletes without additional research.

If you’re concerned about your eating or exercise habits, changes won’t happen overnight. Developing a healthier relationship with food and exercise typically takes weeks to months of consistent effort, often with professional support from a therapist or sports psychologist. You might notice small improvements in mood and energy within 2-4 weeks of eating more adequately, but deeper changes in mindset and behavior usually take 3-6 months or longer. Recovery from disordered eating is a gradual process, and setbacks are normal.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily food intake and energy levels. Log what you eat and how you feel during workouts—do you have good energy, or do you feel weak and tired? Also track rest days and how you feel on those days. Over time, you should notice that eating more adequately gives you better workout performance and mood.
  • Set a specific, measurable goal like ‘I will eat a balanced meal with protein, carbs, and healthy fats within 2 hours after every workout’ or ‘I will take at least one full rest day per week where I don’t exercise.’ Use the app to remind you of these goals and track whether you’re meeting them.
  • Weekly check-in: Every Sunday, review your week and ask yourself: Did I fuel my body adequately? Did I take rest days? How did my body feel? Did I obsess about my appearance? Over months, you should see patterns improving. If you notice you’re still struggling with these issues after 4-6 weeks of tracking, that’s a sign to reach out to a healthcare provider or sports psychologist.

This research describes patterns observed in a specific group of female CrossFit athletes and should not be used for self-diagnosis. If you’re concerned about your eating habits, exercise routines, or body image, please consult with a qualified healthcare provider, registered dietitian, or mental health professional. Disordered eating and exercise dependence are serious conditions that require professional evaluation and treatment. This article is for educational purposes and does not replace medical advice. If you’re experiencing symptoms of an eating disorder, contact the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) helpline at 1-800-931-2237 or visit their website for support.