Eating Disorders

1
Eating Disorders in Sports
2
Introduction

• Weight control in sport -- Key to success for
  many athletes
• Problem Some methods of weight management are
  harmful to performance and health
• Problem Some methods of weight management can
  evolve into an eating disorder

3
An Overview of Eating Disorders

• Two Main Types
• Bulimia Nervosa
• Anorexia Nervosa

4
Bulimia

• Bingeing
• Eat Large Amounts of Food
• Eating is Out of Control

• Compensatory Behaviors
• Purging via
• Self-Induced Vomiting, Enemas
• Laxatives, Diuretics, Exercise, Fasting
• Self-evaluation is unduly influenced by body
  shape and weight

5
Anorexia

• Intense fear of
• Gaining weight
• Becoming fat

• Refusal to maintain body weight
• 15 Below Expected Normal
• Distorted body image
• Amenorrhea (in females)

6
The Triad (in female athletes)

• Amenorrhea
• Disordered eating
• Osteoporosis
• Further info at
• http//www.physsportsmed.com/issues/jul_96/smith.h
  tm

7
Prevalence of EDs in sports

• Where do we draw the line between excessive
  dieting, pathogenic wt loss methods, and EDs?
• More prevalent in athletes?
• Studies from Swoap chapter
• General findings
• Higher in athletes
• Subclinical
• Sport-specific

8
Predisposing factors to EDs

• General factors
• Social and Cultural Factors
• Biological predispositions?
• Sport factors
• Weight restrictions
• Judging criteria
• Performance demands
• Coach-pressure
• Peer-pressure
• Win-at-all-costs attitude

9
Recognition of EDs in sports

• Early recognition -- early treatment
• Assessment
• Standardized tools
• Eating Disorders Inventory
• Clinical Interview
• Behavioral personality changes
• Medical assessment
• Eating disorder vs. pathogenic weight-loss
  techniques?

10
The Treatment of Eating Disorders

• Referral issues
• Individual, Group, Family, Inpatient
• Cognitive-behavioral treatments
• Education about eating behavior
• Scheduled eating
• Exposure / Response prevention

11
Prevention of Eating Disorders in Sports

• De-emphasize body weight
• Nutritional education
• Promote sensitivity to weight issues
• Facilitate healthy weight management