By Lily Zhao
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Just like getting a good grade in school or getting a promotion at work, some students will do just about anything to achieve their goals. And like those students, athletes are no different. Some are willing to extend their bodies beyond limits in order to play that sport in college or even later on professionally.

Some high school football athletes, mainly the linemen, attempt to bulk up in order to fit the criteria for college, wrestlers look to eat less and exercise more to get into a lower weight class, and some dancers diet in order to stay in shape for the dance season. However, a study done by suite101.com found that only 6 percent of football players compete at the college level, so the remaining 94 percent could potentially develop illnesses later on because of their current lifestyles. According to cornellsun.com, wrestlers and dancers also have a small chance of dancing professionally later on.

The underlying concern for these athletes and others is that if competing in that sport is not possible in college or in the future, the habits that they have developed for many years will affect their health when they are older, making them develop bad eating and dieting habits. Also, some medical concerns later on for these individuals are high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, protein-deficiency and even obesity and anorexia.

But according to healthmagazine.com, a way for athletes who do not make it professionally to get their health on track, is to take time to adjust to a new lifestyle and consult a doctor on how to get well. This transition is pertinent in order to get healthy. Lily Zhao is a Sports editor. Contact her at [email protected].