Swedish high jumper Engla Nilsson, 20, fell ill with an eating disorder and lost 12 kilos
Translated from Finnish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- Swedish high jumper Engla Nilsson, 20, has revealed she suffered from an eating disorder, losing 12 kilograms.
- She is receiving professional help from a nutritionist and sports psychologist and feels much better.
- Nilsson aims to compete in the European Championships in Birmingham later this year.
The Finnish sports media highlights the courageous step taken by Swedish high jumper Engla Nilsson in sharing her struggle with an eating disorder. At just 20 years old, Nilsson, a European indoor medalist, has bravely opened up about her battle, which led to a significant weight loss of 12 kilograms. Her willingness to speak out on the 'Track and talk' podcast, as reported by Expressen, is a powerful testament to the mental health challenges faced by elite athletes. Nilsson's recovery, supported by professional help and her national team, serves as an important reminder that seeking help is a sign of strength. While Western media often focuses on athletic performance, Finnish coverage, like this, emphasizes the human element and the importance of well-being. Her determination to compete in the upcoming European Championships in Birmingham demonstrates remarkable resilience. This story resonates deeply, reminding us that behind every athletic achievement are personal battles that deserve our attention and support.
I lost twelve kilos at my worst. That's extremely much for a person who is already quite slender.
Originally published by Helsingin Sanomat in Finnish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.