Eating Disorder Awareness Month - February 2023
February is Eating Disorder Awareness Month. I wanted to take this time to shed some awareness on eating disorders among athletes and youth. This topic is near and dear to my heart, as I was a gymnast who struggled with an eating disorder, and I strongly believe I would have been able to receive the help I needed sooner if there was more education and awareness about it. Furthermore, this is my area of specialty in my private practice and a topic in mental health I am very passionate about.
Eating disorders are very serious mental illnesses. It is important to realize that even though eating disorders are defined by weight and food intake, they are not a weight disorder, but a psychological disorder and have several, serious medical and psychological consequences such as: low heart rate, low bone density, fatigue, GI issues, increased risk of injury, impaired concentration, irritability, depression, isolation, and low self-esteem (Fernandez, 2022).
According to the Victory Program at McCallum Place, up to 45% of athletes suffer from an eating disorder and the following are several risk factors that place an athlete at an even higher risk of developing an eating disorder: being in an aesthetic sport (such as gymnastics), early start in the sport, overtraining, injury, perfectionism, dieting, team dynamics with coach and teammates, and performance level (Fernandez, 2022).
What can parents and coaches keep an eye out for? Changes in your athlete’s attitude regarding food, weight, and self-perception (Fernandez, 2022). Athletes who start eating less, start fad diets or clean eating, frequent body checking, or a youth or adolescent whose body is not changing (Fernandez, 2022). Youth athletes are expected to be growing in both height and weight up until late adolescence and into their 20s! Other warning signs to look out for are athletes who over-exercise, are unable to tolerate a missed workout, exercise when sick or injured, and athletes that have mood swings, increased anxiety or depression, or lack of emotion (Fernandez, 2022).
How to help prevent eating disorders. As a coach and parent, be mindful of how you are communicating with your athlete – both verbally and nonverbally. Avoid talking about your own weight, diets, and trying to lose weight. Make sure to check in with your athlete about how they are doing both in and out of the gym. Be interested in learning about the whole athlete. Avoid saying that their lack of skills is due to their weight! According to the 40-factor model, weight is 1 out of 40 factors that contribute to performance, and putting too much emphasis on weight is very detrimental to the athlete (Fernandez, 2022).
If you know of an athlete who may be struggling with an eating disorder, please get them the help they need. I will post some resources below that are great resources to help find professional help in your area.
National Eating Disorders Association
ANAD | Free Eating Disorder Support Groups & Services
Home - MEDA - Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association (medainc.org)
Eating Disorder Treatment Centers of Massachusetts - Boston - The Renfrew Center
McCallum Place | Eating Disorder Treatment in Missouri and Kansas
Fernandez, S. P. (2022). Off The Starting Blocks: Eating Disorder Prevention in Youth Sports. The Vicotry Program at McCallum Place.
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