The beginning of Krista Phelps’s story is a familiar one: a great high school athlete with a promising academic and athletic future, preparing for her second state track meet. But before the story could get really good, it took a very bad turn.

Phelps, a Kingsely-Pierson (IA) sophomore who was just 16, died on Sunday … Phelps died from complications of anorexia …

The sudden death of a high school student sends a shock wave through a community. Grief counselors were brought in to help students and faculty cope. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.

A longtime coach once told me about athletes with eating disorders: "John, anyone who’s coached girls' sports long enough knows of at least one." [Source: Des Moines (IA) Register]

As the final quote in the excerpt above indicates, several experts have noted an association between womens' athletics and eating disorders. Male athletes in some sports are also at increased risk.

Labels: anorexia, health, athletes, art, death

Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton