Volume 22, Issue 31 | April 11, 2023

Athlete Eating Disorders

You might be surprised to learn that 33% of male and 62% of female high school athletes struggle with eating disorders [National Eating Disorder Association, 2021]. These alarming statistics should raise sport parents’ awareness of this challenge. Last year, Play Like a Champion detailed the signs, symptoms and risk factors of these disorders; today, we invite parents to learn from a real and very personal story of an athlete who struggled with an eating disorder. Rachel Steil, speaker and author of Running in Silence, spoke to our Play Like a Champion partners earlier this year. Her poignant story in the video above will help you to stand in the shoes of an athlete striving for excellence and learn how that led to body dysmorphia and a severe eating disorder.


This conversation will continue at our 2023 Sports Leadership Conference in June, as we continue to educate our Play Like a Champion community on this critical subject. Jenny Conviser, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Northwestern University will present two sessions on the topic. She will share detailed information on risk factors for eating disorders and ways the sport culture can unwittingly inflame this issue for athletes. Most importantly, Dr. Conviser will share research-based techniques for reducing the pressure and expectations that might lead athletes to acquire this mental health condition, as well as ways coaches and parents can identify and help heal athletes struggling with eating disorders.

Play Like a Champion wishes you and your family a blessed and happy Easter season! Rejoice, for "He has Risen!"

"And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; and as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen." ~ Luke 24:2-5

Pray Like a Champion: New Book Offers Prayers for Athletes, Teams, Coaches & Sports Parents

Play Like a Champion is excited to offer a new resource for athletes, coaches and parents. Pray Like a Champion is a collection of prayers that can be easily accessed in PDF on your desktop or mobile device. The booklet features more than 100 pages of prayers segmented by athletes, teams, coaches and parents, as well as sports-themed reflections on scripture and the Mysteries of the Rosary. You can access the PDF now for free by clicking here, or email us if you would like to get print copies of the book delivered to you [cost of printing and shipping will apply]. Join us in praying that sports will bring all our children closer to God, as they use the gifts and talents that He has given them to glorify Him!

Access Resources & Learn More at www.playlikeachampion.org

Play Like a Champion Today Educational Series

PO Box 72, Notre Dame, IN 46556 | information@playlikeachampion.org

www.playlikeachampion.org

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!

Facebook  Twitter  Instagram  Youtube