Download Chapter 5: Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating

Chapter 5: Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating
Chapter Objectives
o Discuss the differences between eating disorders and disordered eating
o Discuss the different characteristics of eating disorders
o Discuss the Female Athlete Triad
o Discuss “at-risk athletes” for eating disorders and disordered eating
o Discuss other psychological conditions associated with eating disorders
Discussion Questions
o What is “sport stereotyping”?
o Why would “sport stereotyping” make the identification of eating disorders
more difficult?
o What are some of the diagnostic criteria for bulimia nervosa?
o What criteria does bulimia nervosa usually begin with?
o Why is bulimia nervosa difficult to detect in terms of physical appearance?
o Which eating disorder is the most prevalent?
o At what time is eating disorder/disordered eating treatment warranted?
o What does the Female Athlete Triad begin with in terms of unhealthy practices?
o What is the low energy availability hypothesis?
o What constitutes excessive exercise for an athlete?
o What quantifies excessive exercise?
o What type of attitudes regarding exercise have eating disorders been linked to?
o What two major risk factor categories do female athletes fall into?
o Should an athlete attempt, or be asked to attempt, a process that could result in
the development of a serious disorder that could seriously affect her health and
life?
o What is competitive thinness?
o How can exceptional athletic performance impact the identification of eating
disorders?
o Why is amenorrhea sometime viewed as normal and what impact may this have
on treatment?
o What are “starvation effects” of eating disorders?
o Which mood disorder is most associated with eating disorders?
o When is depression seen in the eating disorders timeline?
o Which anxiety disorder is associated with a longer duration of illness with
regards to eating disorders?
o Why may a “coachable” athlete have an eating disorder?
o What could be one explanation that amphetamine usage is more prevalent in
the female athletic population?
o What are some common substances used by people who suffer from eating
disorders?
o Which substance do you think is more prevalent and why?
o How do disordered eating and eating disorders not otherwise specified differ
from each other?
o Why do you think that the “high risk” sports are categorized like they are for
pathological weight control behaviors (eating disorders/disordered eating)?
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What are some predisposing factors for eating disorders that this chapter has
discussed?
Why do you think that men have a lower incidence of eating disorders?
What are some performance issues associated with eating disorders?
What hormonal changes can you expect that are associated with eating
disorders?
Chapter Summary
Eating disorders do occur, although a more common occurrence is disordered
eating. It is difficult to perform athletics at high levels when your body is being
starved of the nutrition that it needs for fuel. This may be the reason why bulimia is
more common in the athletic realm than frank anorexia. Exercise can also be a
purging method just like vomiting and/or laxative usage and over time this can
develop into a psychological issue. Therefore it is imperative to recognize the risk
factors, signs, and symptoms of both eating disorders and disordered eating. When
taken to extremes, they can be fatal.
The National Athletic Trainer’s Association recently published a position statement
on preventing, detecting, and managing disordered eating in athletes. It gives a
plethora of information about disordered eating as well as provides a “heads-up” to
the reader on what to look for in athletes who are candidates for this pathology. For
instance, two important tables included in this manuscript show signs and
symptoms of eating disordered athletes. While this information was covered in this
chapter, these tables do a great job of putting it all together. They also highlight 6
points on prevention:
1. Mandatory educational programs for athletes, coaches, and certified athletic
trainers should be implemented on an annual basis.
2. All athletes should be educated on the importance of proper nutritional practices
to reduce the risk of medical and performance problems associated with prolonged
energy and nutrient deprivation.
3. Female athletes should be educated on the health and performance
consequences of menstrual irregularities and the importance of seeking timely
medical intervention at the first sign of abnormalities.
4. The educational program should be routinely evaluated.
5. Certified athletic trainers should be familiar with reputable websites (discussed in
a later chapter) that provide factual information on disordered eating, healthy
eating, and weight-regulation practices.
6. Certified athletic trainers should be familiar with disreputable pro-ana (anorexia)
and pro-mia (bulimia) sites consisting of harmful information devoted to the
continuation, promotion, and support of eating disorders, which glamorize the
deadly disorders.