Maybe if I lose another two kilos, something magical will happen: navigating food, body image, and weight among pre-elite cross-country skiers

Competitive athletes are at an increased risk of developing disordered eating and body image difficulties. This is particularly true for athletes competing in types of sport that favor a lean body, such as cross-country (XC) skiing. However, there is limited knowledge on how athletes within this sport experience eating- and body-related issues, especially among pre-elite athletes, with less access to professional support. This study aimed to investigate thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes towards eating and body related issues in pre-elite XC skiers in Norway. Seven XC skiers from various pre-elite teams participated in semi-structured qualitative interviews. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis. The analysis resulted in four overarching themes capturing the informants’ perceptions and experiences with eating and body related issues. The findings identified several perceived risk and protective factors for developing eating- and body image difficulties. In addition, the athletes pointed to important biological and social differences between female and male athletes including less transparency on weight-related issues among the female athletes. Moreover, variations in training phases and dietary restrictions were described. The findings identify the need for greater transparency and support, and for increased nutritional knowledge among athletes, and better access to nutritional resources.