Maladaptive eating habits in judo athletes and psychological side effects: Case studies

Originating in 19th-century Japan, judo blends traditional martial arts with modern educational principles. As a martial art rooted in the Budo tradition, it embodies a philosophy focused on the harmony of mind and body. In the West, however, the discipline evolved with an emphasis on competition an...

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Main Authors: Eleonora Zorzi, Thomas Zandonai
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-12-01
Series:Emerging Trends in Drugs, Addictions, and Health
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667118224000229
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author Eleonora Zorzi
Thomas Zandonai
author_facet Eleonora Zorzi
Thomas Zandonai
author_sort Eleonora Zorzi
collection DOAJ
description Originating in 19th-century Japan, judo blends traditional martial arts with modern educational principles. As a martial art rooted in the Budo tradition, it embodies a philosophy focused on the harmony of mind and body. In the West, however, the discipline evolved with an emphasis on competition and athleticism, which has led to increased competitive pressures among athletes. We report here the case studies of two Italian judokas who retired due to the development of unhealthy eating habits, extreme exercise and other unwanted psychological distress. It will be argued that the prevalent practice of weight cutting in combat sports poses substantial physical and psychological risks, particularly for young athletes. Despite regulatory efforts to mitigate extreme weight loss methods, there remains a critical need for improved education on safe practices. It sheds light on the complex interplay between athletic success, physical and mental health, and cultural perceptions of Judo in contemporary society.
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spelling doaj-art-9d9ed191dea64c4aad722221e516769d2025-08-20T02:39:31ZengElsevierEmerging Trends in Drugs, Addictions, and Health2667-11822024-12-01410016310.1016/j.etdah.2024.100163Maladaptive eating habits in judo athletes and psychological side effects: Case studiesEleonora Zorzi0Thomas Zandonai1Addiction Science Lab, Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Corso Bettini, 84, Rovereto, Trento 38068, ItalyAddiction Science Lab, Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Corso Bettini, 84, Rovereto, Trento 38068, Italy; Department of Pharmacology, Paediatrics and Organic Chemistry, Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, Crta Nacional, N-332. s/n, Alicante, Sant Joan 03550, Spain; Pharmacogenetic Unit, Clinical Pharmacology Department, Dr. Balmis General University Hospital, Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), c/ Pintor Baeza, 12, Alicante 03010, Spain; Corresponding author at: Addiction Science Lab, Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Corso Bettini, 84, Rovereto, Trento 38068, Italy.Originating in 19th-century Japan, judo blends traditional martial arts with modern educational principles. As a martial art rooted in the Budo tradition, it embodies a philosophy focused on the harmony of mind and body. In the West, however, the discipline evolved with an emphasis on competition and athleticism, which has led to increased competitive pressures among athletes. We report here the case studies of two Italian judokas who retired due to the development of unhealthy eating habits, extreme exercise and other unwanted psychological distress. It will be argued that the prevalent practice of weight cutting in combat sports poses substantial physical and psychological risks, particularly for young athletes. Despite regulatory efforts to mitigate extreme weight loss methods, there remains a critical need for improved education on safe practices. It sheds light on the complex interplay between athletic success, physical and mental health, and cultural perceptions of Judo in contemporary society.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667118224000229JudoSportWeight lossPsychological distressMental health
spellingShingle Eleonora Zorzi
Thomas Zandonai
Maladaptive eating habits in judo athletes and psychological side effects: Case studies
Emerging Trends in Drugs, Addictions, and Health
Judo
Sport
Weight loss
Psychological distress
Mental health
title Maladaptive eating habits in judo athletes and psychological side effects: Case studies
title_full Maladaptive eating habits in judo athletes and psychological side effects: Case studies
title_fullStr Maladaptive eating habits in judo athletes and psychological side effects: Case studies
title_full_unstemmed Maladaptive eating habits in judo athletes and psychological side effects: Case studies
title_short Maladaptive eating habits in judo athletes and psychological side effects: Case studies
title_sort maladaptive eating habits in judo athletes and psychological side effects case studies
topic Judo
Sport
Weight loss
Psychological distress
Mental health
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667118224000229
work_keys_str_mv AT eleonorazorzi maladaptiveeatinghabitsinjudoathletesandpsychologicalsideeffectscasestudies
AT thomaszandonai maladaptiveeatinghabitsinjudoathletesandpsychologicalsideeffectscasestudies