From Someone Who Struggled: How Athletic Staff and Health Care Professionals Can Help (Guest Post by Anonymous)
This following piece is written by an anonymous athlete who chose to share their story in hopes of shedding light on the realities of eating disorders, and what the athletic community can do to better support athletes who are struggling. I believe that the only way to truly advance the understanding of eating disorders […]
What Can You Do if a Coach is Uncomfortable Addressing Eating Disorders? (Q&A with Paula Quatromoni)
This is part of a Q&A series with the leading expert in eating disorders and sports, Paula Quatromoni. For more Q&As click here. Q: There is suspicion that there are athletes struggling with eating disorders on a high school sports team. The coach hasn’t addressed these issues even though he is concerned and is aware […]
How Can a Coach Support an Athlete With an Eating Disorder? Paula Quatromoni Q&A
This is part of a Q&A series with leading expert in eating disorders and sports, Paula Quatromoni. For more Q&As click here. Q (Anonymous): I’m a coach with an athlete who told me they are struggling with an eating disorder and they are getting treatment. The athlete asked me to keep them accountable. How can […]
Conversations with Coach: The Rollercoaster of Running with an Eating Disorder
It was fall 2012, and I had bonked at one of the most important races of the cross country season. Days later, Coach Woj asked me to meet him in his office. “It tore my heart to read your running log,” Woj said. “You’re a smart girl. How can Rachael, who does everything right, not […]
It’s Not Just Overbearing Coaches and Division I Programs
Post updated April 12, 2021, to improve clarity. When we think of eating disorders in athletics, we often point to overbearing coaches in large, competitive sports programs. We bring up an athlete’s desire to please a demanding coach or mention the comments tossed around about restricting food and losing weight. This often leaves people to […]
Mistreatment and Body-Shaming in Coaching
I recently returned from the empowering Strong Runner Chicks (SRC) retreat in the wake of an NCAA coach allegedly body-shaming his athletes—something that is not the sole “cause” of eating disorders, but it sure can trigger them. I went to the SRC retreat knowing that many of us runners had very similar stories with eating […]
When a Coach Suggests Athletes “Drop a Few Pounds”: Q&A with Dr. Quatromoni
This is part of a Q&A series with leading expert in eating disorders and sports, Paula Quatromoni. For more Q&As click here. A coach of an adult, co-ed sports team sent out a training guide offering athletes advice on “top 5 ways to become a faster cyclist.” One of the “lessons”: Lesson B: Dropping a […]
What Coaches Can Do to Prevent Eating Disorders: Q&A with Dr. Quatromoni
This is part of a Q&A series with leading expert in eating disorders and sports, Paula Quatromoni. For more Q&As click here. Q: What can coaches do to build a healthy culture and prevent eating disorders? A: First, I’d recommend education. There is a lot that coaches can do to educate themselves and increase awareness […]
For Coaches, Approaching an Athlete with an Eating Disorder: Q&A with Dr. Paula Quatromoni
This is part of a Q&A series with leading expert in eating disorders and sports, Paula Quatromoni. For more Q&As click here. Q: How do you recommend approaching an athlete you think might have an eating disorder? A (Paula Quatromoni): Set up a private meeting with the athlete to discuss your concerns. Never, ever, ever […]
What Can Coaches Do if An Athlete is Resistant to Eating Disorder Treatment? Q&A with Dr. Paula Quatromoni
Ever since meeting Paula Quatromoni at the Eating Disorders in Sport Conference last August, we have been in constant communication. Paula has been especially helpful for me since I am not a professional in treating eating disorders. So as one of the leading experts in this field, it is a privilege and an honor to have […]