A Coach’s Guide to Supporting Athletes with Eating Disorders

By Isabel Grieder, Admissions Counselor| 8 Min Read | May 31, 2024

Introduction
The Pressure to Perform
Key Signs and Symptoms to Watch For
Five Ways Coaches Can Help
When and How to Seek Professional Help
Inner Haven: Support for Athletes with Eating Disorders

Eating disorders present a serious threat to the well-being and performance of athletes. The pressure athletes face to achieve and maintain a specific body shape or size can lead to unhealthy eating patterns. Coaches have a unique opportunity to observe an athlete’s behavior and offer support.

Early intervention is critical for successful eating disorder treatment. It can help someone avoid long-term mental and physical health problems. This guide will empower coaches to recognize warning signs of eating disorders and understand how to help athletes get the professional support they need.

The Pressure to Perform

Athletes face a constant demand to improve and push their limits. This drive for excellence can inadvertently lead to unhealthy eating habits as a means of performance control. Sports that emphasize a lean physique or specific weight categories (gymnastics, wrestling, distance running) can create an environment where disordered eating is more common. It’s important to understand that disordered eating exists on a spectrum. Athletes may start with restrictive dieting and obsessive exercise, but this can escalate into a full-blown eating disorder. Early identification of these behaviors is key to helping an athlete get on the path to recovery.

Coaches play a significant role in shaping the culture of their team and the expectations they set. When coaches focus solely on weight or appearance-related goals, it can reinforce the belief that thinness or a specific body type equals success. This puts athletes at risk of developing unhealthy relationships with food and their bodies. Coaches know that their players’ performance is influenced by various factors, with nutrition playing a major role.

Key Signs and Symptoms to Watch For

Coaches have the advantage of regularly observing athletes during training and competition. Paying attention to subtle changes in behavior and performance can help identify potential red flags for an eating disorder. Here are some crucial signs to be aware of:

Changes in Eating Habits

Restricting food intake or skipping meals regularly
Developing rigid food rules or rituals (e.g., eating foods in a specific order)
Becoming overly focused on “healthy” eating or fixating on calorie counting
Hiding food or evidence of eating
Displaying compensatory behaviors like excessive exercise or disappearing after meals

Physical Changes:

Noticeable weight loss or gain in a short amount of time
Frequent injuries, unexplained fatigue, or a decline in performance
Injuries out of proportion to level of trauma
Gastrointestinal issues (stomach cramps, bloating, constipation)
Signs of dehydration

Emotional and Behavioral Changes:

Social isolation, especially when food is involved
Increased irritability, anxiety, or mood swings
Intense preoccupation with body shape, weight, and appearance
Frequent body-checking behaviors (weighing, pinching, mirror gazing)

It’s important to note that not everyone with an eating disorder will display all of these signs. Any significant changes in an athlete’s eating, exercise, or emotional state warrant a closer look and a compassionate conversation.

Five Ways Coaches Can Help

Coaches are in a unique position to support their athletes, especially when it comes to sensitive issues like eating disorders. Here are five key strategies coaches can use to create a supportive environment and guide athletes toward getting the help they need:

Tip 1: Prioritize Open Communication

Create a safe space for athletes to express concerns without fear of judgment or dismissal. Let them know you are available to listen and offer support. Avoid making comments about an athlete’s body, weight, or food choices. Instead, focus on their overall health, well-being, and performance. Framing concerns around how their behaviors might be impacting their athletic goals can open a path for a sensitive and helpful conversation.

Coaches can set the tone for the type of communication that happens on their team. Be mindful of the language you use in practice or during games. Avoid jokes or criticisms related to food, weight, or body size. This kind of casual negativity can reinforce unhealthy ideas and make it harder for an athlete to feel comfortable confiding in you.

Tip 2: Avoid Body or Weight-Related Comments

Even well-intentioned comments about weight loss or gain can be harmful to an athlete struggling with an eating disorder. Focus on praising effort, skill development, and their positive impact on the team. Remind athletes that their worth is not defined by their appearance.

It’s also important for coaches to be aware of their own biases and assumptions regarding weight and performance. Athletes come in all shapes and sizes, and what’s considered “ideal” can vary greatly between different sports. Challenging your own preconceptions will help you better support all of your athletes.

Tip 3: Emphasize a Healthy Team Culture

Promote a team environment that prioritizes balanced nutrition for optimal performance. Avoid fixating on weight goals or encouraging comparisons between teammates. Foster a sense of camaraderie based on mutual support and encouragement, regardless of body size or shape.

Educate your team about the importance of fueling their bodies for success. Consider inviting a sports nutritionist to speak to the team about healthy eating strategies and the dangers of restrictive dieting. Encourage team bonding activities that don’t revolve around food, highlighting the importance of social connection and mental well-being.

Tip 4: Acknowledge Your Limits

While a coach’s support is invaluable, it’s important to recognize that your role is different from that of a mental health professional or nutritionist. Be prepared to gently suggest seeking professional help for an athlete you’re concerned about. Recognize that addressing an eating disorder requires specialized care.

If an athlete confides in you about their struggles, it’s important to listen with empathy and validate their feelings. Let them know that you are there to help them find the resources they need. Avoid trying to “fix” the issue yourself or offering unsolicited advice.

Tip 5: Be Prepared with Resources

Gather information about eating disorder specialists, therapists, and registered dietitians with sports expertise. Be ready to share these resources with an athlete and, with their permission, offer to help them make initial contact with a treatment provider.

Maintaining a list of trusted professionals makes it easier for you to take action when a situation arises. Consider partnering with your school’s athletic trainers, counselors, or school psychologists to ensure you have a support network for addressing athlete health concerns.

When and How to Seek Professional Help

Encourage Early Intervention: Early intervention is one of the most important factors in successful eating disorder recovery. The longer an eating disorder persists, the more entrenched the unhealthy behaviors become. These behaviors can cause lasting physical and emotional harm. Help your athlete understand that seeking options like outpatient eating disorder treatment, for example, is a sign of strength, just like getting medical attention for a physical injury.

Be Prepared with Resources: Have a list of trusted professionals on hand that you can share with the athlete. This could include eating disorder specialists, therapists who specialize in working with athletes, and sports nutritionists. With the athlete’s permission, you can even offer to help them make an initial appointment or attend with them for support.

Additional Notes:

The coach’s role is to provide support, not diagnosis or treatment. If you suspect an eating disorder, avoid labeling it. Instead, focus on your observations and express your concerns about the athlete’s health and performance.
Be patient and persistent. If an athlete initially denies your concern or refuses to seek help, don’t give up. Eating disorders flourish in secrecy. Continue to express your support and periodically revisit the topic while providing them with resources.

Inner Haven: Support for Athletes with Eating Disorders

Inner Haven is an eating disorder center that understands the unique challenges faced by athletes struggling with eating disorders. Our experienced and compassionate team provides specialized treatment tailored to meet diverse needs, helping individuals recover and thrive. We offer a comprehensive range of services, including:

Eating disorder assessments: To determine the most appropriate level of care.
Individual and group therapy: To address the underlying thoughts, behaviors, and emotions contributing to the eating disorder.
Nutritional counseling: To help athletes develop healthy eating patterns and a positive relationship with food.
Medical monitoring: To ensure overall physical health and address any complications caused by the eating disorder.

If you or someone you know is an athlete struggling with an eating disorder, Inner Haven is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our specialized treatment programs and start the journey toward recovery.

Key Takeaways

Coaches are on the front lines: Coaches play a crucial role in identifying early signs of eating disorders in athletes. Their observations and support can make a significant difference in an athlete’s journey to recovery.
The impact of team culture: The environment coaches cultivate can either promote healthy habits or inadvertently reinforce disordered behaviors. A focus on performance and overall well being, rather than weight, is key to protecting athletes.
Early action is vital: Eating disorders become harder to treat the longer they persist. Encouraging athletes to seek help as soon as concerns arise improves their chances of a full recovery.
Compassionate support, not judgment: A coach’s main focus should be expressing concern for the athlete’s health and offering resources for professional help. Avoiding comments on appearance and emphasizing open communication are essential.
Specialized care is necessary: Athletes with eating disorders need specialized treatment from qualified professionals who understand both the complexities of eating disorders and the unique demands of the athlete’s sport.