Editing Rhythmic gymnastics (section)

=== Eating disorders ===
As in other aesthetic sports such as [[figure skating]] and artistic gymnastics, [[body image]] issues and [[disordered eating]] are common.<ref name=":28">{{Cite journal |last1=Oliveira |first1=Laura de |last2=Costa |first2=Vítor Ricci |last3=Antualpa |first3=Kizzy Fernandes |last4=Nunomura |first4=Myrian |date=2021-10-01 |title=Body and Performance in Rhythmic Gymnastics: Science or Belief? |url=https://journals.uni-lj.si/sgj/article/view/11775 |journal=Science of Gymnastics Journal |volume=13 |issue=3 |pages=311–321 |doi=10.52165/sgj.13.3.311-321 |issn=1855-7171|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref name=":29">{{Cite web |last=Jansen |first=Bonnie |date=2024-03-18 |title=Eating disorders and 'toxic' body pressures: Ex-gymnasts reveal sport's 'cut-throat' nature |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/olympics/new-zealand-rhythmic-gymnasts-speak-out-on-eating-disorders-body-pressures-and-demands-for-perfection/WLEWQSDW6JG67CORNGY75GFY6E/ |access-date=2024-11-12 |website=[[NZ Herald]] |language=en-NZ}}</ref><ref name=":30">{{Cite journal |last1=Venetsanou |first1=Fotini |last2=Ioannidou |first2=Christina |date=2019-10-01 |title=Social Physique Anxiety, Disturbed Eating Attitudes and Behaviors, and Perceived Pressure for Thin Body in Competitive Rhythmic and Aerobic Gymnasts |url=https://journals.uni-lj.si/sgj/article/view/12045 |journal=Science of Gymnastics Journal |language=en |volume=11 |issue=3 |pages=331–342 |doi=10.52165/sgj.11.3.331-342 |issn=1855-7171}}</ref> International-level gymnasts are more likely to have disordered eating and low body weight compared to recreational gymnasts.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Donti |first1=Olyvia |last2=Donti |first2=Anastasia |last3=Gaspari |first3=Vasiliki |last4=Pleksida |first4=Paraskevi |last5=Psychountaki |first5=Maria |date=2021-04-01 |title=Are they too perfect to eat healthy? Association between eating disorder symptoms and perfectionism in adolescent rhythmic gymnasts |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1471015321000416 |journal=Eating Behaviors |volume=41 |pages=101514 |doi=10.1016/j.eatbeh.2021.101514 |issn=1471-0153|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

Long limbs and a slender body are considered ideal for the sport, and judges may be biased against those who do not fit this ideal.<ref name=":29" /> Gymnasts and coaches sometimes believe that a lighter weight will prevent injuries and make it easier to perform elements, and gymnasts have reported excessive weight control from coaches and demands to meet arbitrary weight targets as well as the use of unhealthy methods to lose weight.<ref name=":28" /> The pressure to lose weight may increase for gymnasts with a higher [[body mass index]], even if they are still quite thin by typical standards. Other gymnastics authority figures such as judges also encourage gymnasts to lose weight, and parents and friends may do so as well.<ref name=":30" />