Search This Blog

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Athletes and Eating Disorders #NEDawareness Week

This week is National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. Please, take the time to view yesterday's post. Thank you for visiting my blog this week. I feel this is a very important topic that everyone needs understand.

Athletes and Eating Disorders

Did you know body image problems, disordered eating and full-blown eating disorders are common among athletes? Females athletes are more likely to have an eating disorder however, males who participate in sports which emphasize diet, appearance, size, and weight (wrestling, bodybuilding, gymnastics, and running) are at risk for developing an eating disorder.

Statistics from ANDA

Athletes:

• Risk Factors: In judged sports – sports that score participants – prevalence of eating disorders is 13% (compared with 3% in refereed sports).19
• Significantly higher rates of eating disorders found in elite athletes (20%), than in a female control group (9%).20
• Female athletes in aesthetic sports (e.g. gynmastics, ballet, figure skating) found to be at the highest risk for eating disorders.20
• A comparison of the psychological profiles of athletes and those with anorexia found these factors in common: perfectionism, high self-expectations, competitiveness, hyperactivity, repetitive exercise routines, compulsiveness, drive, tendency toward depression, body image distortion, pre-occupation with dieting and weight.21



So, what can we do about it? How can we help? 

1. First, you can Get In The Know Educating yourself will give you the knowledge and skill set to help prevent eating disorders.

How Does Someone Develop an Eating Disorder?

What's It Like to Have an Eating Disorder?


How Do You Know If You Have an Eating Disorder?


Clinical Eating Disorders


Ideas for Yourself


Articles



2. Talk about it. It shouldn't be taboo. Create am open dialogue to let those who may be suffering know there is help and treatment.

3. If you or someone you care about might be suffering from an eating disorder, it is important to educate yourself and seek professional guidance as soon as possible because early intervention is key to successful recovery.
How you can help TODAY!!

1. Share these image on your social media channels using #NEDAwareness
Athletes Social Media Image



2. Use the #NEDAwareness hashtag to join today's Tweeter Chat: 
Active EDs: What Athletes, Coaches and Trainers Need to Know about Eating Disorders

Athletes Tweet Chat Image


Suggested Resources from NEDAwareness.Org:
Google Hangout: "Voice of ED: Externalizing the Eating Disorder" 
"10 Ways to Recognize Orthorexia" NYMag.com 
"Reclaiming My Life" by Adam Bretag, Story of Hope 
"A Scale Can’t Measure the Severity of Your Eating Disorder" by McCall Dempsey, Story of Hope 
"Who’s the Biggest Loser? All of Us" NEDA Blog 
Coach & Athletic Trainer Toolkit
Tips for Coaches: Preventing Eating Disorders in Athletes 
Information cards for trainers and coaches  

Thank you again for stopping by. Please, email me if you have any questions or comments. Come back tomorrow for additional information on eating disorders.


19. Zucker NL, Womble LG, Williamson DA, et al. Protective factors for eating disorders in female college athletes. Eat Disorders 1999; 7: 207-218.
20. Sungot-Borgen, J. Torstveit, M.K. (2004) Prevalence of ED in Elite Athletes is Higher than in the General Population. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, 14(1), 25-32.
21. Bachner-Melman, R., Zohar, A, Ebstein, R, et.al. 2006. How Anorexic-like are the Symptom and Personality Profiles of Aesthetic Athletes? Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 38 No 4. 628-636.

5 comments:

  1. I did not know that was common among athlestes but it makes sense. I was just havin' a convo about body shamin' with my momma last night and how it isn't right no matter how big or small you are.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aleshea, thank you for your comment. You are EXACTLY right. "Skinny Shamming," as its referred to, has the potential to cause harm. A fellow RD was quoted here:
      ["This brings up the focus on skinny shaming that hasn't been brought up that much in the media,” explains Sheena Gregg.

      Gregg is the Assistant Director of the University of Alabama's Student Health Center. She said too often body shaming thin women is dismissed.

      “If we are making comments about someone who is overweight that's known as bullying. But if we are making comments about someone who is too thin, it's supposed to be perceived as concern versus bullying,” explains Gregg.

      But she said like bullying, skinny shaming can sting too. ]

      Thank you again for stopping by!

      Delete
  2. Love your video. Such a brilliant way to spread awareness!! You are AWESOME!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. "Females athletes are more likely to have an eating disorder however, males who participate in sports which emphasize diet, appearance, size, and weight (wrestling, bodybuilding, gymnastics, and running) are at risk for developing an eating disorder." I agree with these words but I'd like to notice that without http://steroidsfax.com you cannot make a beautiful body.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mental therapy is a topic which people avoid talking openly at any occasions because it creates impression in most people that only sufferers of mental problem are those seeking and undergoing this kind of therapy to solve their problem. Kinesiologie Zürich

    ReplyDelete

Popular Posts