What is an eating disorder in a sporting context?
Above all, taking part in sport has such obvious links to good physical and mental health. Eating disorders are always a risk.
“Elite athletes would be viewed by most of the general population as ‘healthy’,” says government agency, UK Sport.
“Whilst most athletes follow a training regime accompanied by a diet that supports health and performance, some will struggle with their weight.”
Recognising the warning signs of eating disorders
To help support the sports industry with this important mission to educate in identifying, preventing, and challenging disordered eating before it becomes a serious problem, we, eCoach, have teamed up with Dr Richard Allison for a new eLearning course, Tackling Eating Disorders in Sport.
British Ice Skating reports that “One key tool in tackling body image pressures and eating disorders in ice skating is education. We require all coaches to complete continuing professional development sessions in order to be accredited to the organisation.”
What is a common consequence of disordered eating in an athlete?
The risk is great. For instance some of the common consequences of eating disorders can be:
- Illness
- Injury
- Mental health problems
- Poor performance (such as strength, coordination and endurance)
- Even death could be on the cards.
Who is at risk of an eating disorder?
The incidence of eating disorders is higher in women than men. This doesn’t mean you can rest on your laurels when it comes to male athletes. Everyone is at risk – all genders, ages and sports – and the lead-up to competitions can be an especially testing time.
Why do athletes struggle with eating disorders ?
In sports where a lean, strong body is essential for handling the manoeuvres, needing to be healthy on the inside too can sometimes be forgotten.
What sports have the highest rate of eating disorders ?
Sports with the highest rates of eating disorders are those with weight-making or cutting practices such as combat sport. Aesthetic sports where nothing less than perfect appearances get the most points. However, diving, running, gymnastics, and wrestling are just a few amongst the top sports at high risk.
What support is available?
Whatever your sport, Tackling Eating Disorders in Sport is full of good practice tips. As well as gaining an understanding of the different types, contexts, and consequences of eating disorders including orthorexia, anorexia athletica, bulimia nervosa and more. The eLearning course will also show you what to do and the correct path to follow if you identify an athlete is struggling. It’s important to remember, however, that you are not a doctor – awareness-raising and signposting is the key to safeguarding success.
By the end of the online course, you’ll eventually be able to:
- Understand what eating disorders are
- Recognise the spectrum of eating behavior in athletes
- Consider the prevalence in sport
- Understand the consequences on health and performance
- See how to identify and how disorders are treated
You can sign up for the Tackling Eating Disorders in Sport online course here and can complete it in your own time. It’s a short, but packed course suitable for a range of learning styles with an assessment at the end. Finally, you’ll receive CIMPSA CPD points, a digital certificate, and your own action plan to tackle eating disorders in your sport.