Eating disorders in athletics

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alan_ruddock

Question:

Eating disorders in athletics

I think one of my athletes may have an eating disorder but I am unsure. What signs should I be looking for and what should I do?

Asked by alan_ruddock - 2 answers - 1 year 10 weeks ago

Danny ODell

You must address this issue as soon as possible, but you will need outside help unless you are qualified to deal with it in a professional manner.

Most strength coaches are not qualified; so get some help if this is your suspicion.

Some of the more common signs for Anorexia include the following:

*A weight loss that is dramatic in change. Some of these can be in excess of 15% or more below the normally expected weight range charts.
*Constipation
*Denial of anything being wrong when it comes to the issue, absurd feelings of being fat even though they are becoming pencil thin, an abnormal *Obsession with their diet, weight, and appearance.
*An overly concerned attitude with exercise leading to hyperactivity to burn the calories and get thin.
*Being hyper sensitive to cold weather due to the lack of fat insulating their body and its organs.
*A steady decline in work, school or other performance indicators.
*Layering the clothes on to conceal the extreme weight loss.
*The skin can take on a yellow tint on the palms and soles of the feet due to high concentrations of carotene.
*Brittle nails, dry skin and a loss of hair along with a growth of fine baby hair, called lanugo hair, all over the face and body.
*Muscle tone and mass are lost as they gradually atrophy.
*Amenorrhea
*The pulse rate slows at rest and is accompanied by light headedness when getting up quickly.

Some of the more common signs for Bulimia include the following:

*Induced vomiting, generally two of more times a week for at least three months in a row.
*Over reliance on laxatives, diuretics or enemas.
*Exercising excessively.
*An obsession with their body shape.
*Ten or more pounds in weight changes.
*Knuckles with scars or scabs on them.
*An odor of vomit on their breath.
*Blood vessels that hqve broken on their face and in their eyes.
*Puffy, consistently swollen cheeks and face.
*Throats that are sore along with dental problems caused by the gastric acids that keep coming up again and again.
*Stomach problems.
*Overnight weight changes of anywhere from two to five pounds.
*Non consistent performance in all areas of their life.
*Menstrual periods are screwed up or absent.
*The oral cavity is lacerated.
*Diarrhea and/or constipation.
*Fatigue is ever present due to the lack of a steady supply of nutrients remaining in the body.
*Disturbed electrolytes in the system.
*Irregular heart beats.
*Stomach ruptures.

Reference:
NSCA's Essentials of Personal Training, Earle, R.W. and Baechle, T. R. Human Kinetics 2004

Submitted 1 year 8 weeks ago by Danny ODell

Dr Victor Thompson

This is a difficlut area for several reasons. First, eating is a difficult subject to discuss with people generally as we all have our own individual attitudes to food, what is okay, when to eat, how to eat and so on. Second, athletes don't have usually have a 'normal' diet - they eat more, different types of food, different proportions etc - and exerting some control over one's athletic diet is more the norm than exception.

The answer from Danny ODell provides a good summary of what to look out for. I'd add:

1. Handle the discussions with the athlete delicately. If you think someone else could do this better as they have a better relationship with the athlete then consider this. It will most likely be difficult for both of you to have this conversation, demonstrate your concern.

2. Encourage linking the athlete up with proper professionals:
a. a psychologist via their GP
b. a specialist eating disorder clinic via their GP (if the GP has links to one)
c. a clincial sports psychologist who feels that they have expertise in this area (most will have the skills, about 50% would probably be willing to help)
d. or begin by reading some quality non-sport-specific literature (e.g., getting better bit(e) by bit(e) by Schmidt and Treasure, overcoming binge eating by Fairburn, or overcoming anorexia nervosa by Freeman and Cooper)

Dr Victor Thompson
Clinical Sports Psychologist
http://www.sportspsychologist.com

Submitted 48 weeks 2 days ago by Dr Victor Thompson