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Given the importance of this topic, we've devoted two consecutive notes to eating disorders. This week's note offers insight and advice for sports parents, including a video from Dr. Jenny Conviser specific to this group.
In last week's note we stated that studies have shown as many as 1 in 3 female athletes and 1 in 5 male athletes experience an eating disorder. What's more, high school athletes are over 3 times as likely as non-athletes to experience an eating disorder. For sports parents, those statistics underscore a serious issue worth our attention. Eating disorders are far more common than many recognize and a topic that we speak far too little about.
In this week's video, Dr. Jenny Conviser provides a brief introduction into the topic and offers advice specifically for sports parents. Conviser is an expert in this area, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences in teh Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University. She's also a parent, a former college coach, and the founder of a practice that works with high level athletes on issues such as this.
An eating disorder can look like many different things - not eating enough, eating too much, disregulated eating or patterns that vary over time. Conviser notes that kids today show an increasing dissatisfaction with their bodies. She also advises that the food - and athletic - environment today is quite a bit different than when we were kids. With that said, there are plenty of resources for parents who are concerned about their child. Conviser reminds us that it's important we get help early, as many disorders are far harder to treat the longer they go without care.
Our support as parents is critical to our young athlete's health and well-being. Take a moment this week to listen to Dr. Conviser and seriously consider whether your athlete exhibits any signs of anxiety, stress or anything that might signal an eating disorder. Remember that young boys experience these issues as well. Develop regular communication with your children on these topics and remind them of your unconditional love and support. Your attention to the issues your athlete may be experiencing can make all the difference.
(Statistics above come from Conviser, J. H., Schlitzer Tierney, A., Nickols, R. (2018). Assessment of Athletes with eating disorders: essentials for best practice. Journal of Clinical Sports Psychology, 12).
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