‘Cutting’ weight: A safe practice for youth wrestlers?
Q) My sons are always trying to lose weight to compete in wrestling. Is this OK, if they’re not overweight to begin with?
Rick / Texas
A) Youth wrestling puts kids at risk for extreme weight-loss practices. Wrestlers may try to “cut “weight in order to compete in a lower weight class, where they think they may have an advantage against a smaller opponent. But some weight-loss practices may be harmful to their health as well as their sport performance.
Each state has weight-loss guidelines for wrestlers. Before the season begins, wrestlers must undergo a medical evaluation to determine the lowest weight at which they can safely wrestle during the season.
Most short-term weight-loss methods involve reducing water weight by restricting fluid intake and using diuretics to increase urination. But wrestlers may also try more drastic measures for rapid weight loss, including:
“¢ Fasting
“¢ Using saunas or rubber or plastic workout suits to sweat off water weight
“¢ Vomiting
“¢ Laxatives
All of these methods can have serious health consequences for kids, such as:
“¢ Dehydration
“¢ Heat exhaustion or heat stroke
“¢ Low blood sugar
“¢ Fainting
“¢ Electrolyte imbalance
“¢ Calcium imbalance
Also, crash diets can impair the normal growth process and actually reduce muscle mass in kids. Athletes who want to lose a significant amount of weight should meet with a sports dietitian in the off season to develop a plan that promotes safe and healthy eating and weight goals.
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