Athletics masking an eating disorder

My friend, Dr. Julie O'Toole, sent me this article a few days ago. It isn't new, and I've blogged about this athlete's story before, but hadn't read this wonderfully written and comprehensive - and harrowing - article. I'd like every parent with an athlete to read it - whether your child has an eating disorder or not.

When Being Varsity-Fit Masks an Eating Disorder

Parents unfamiliar with eating disorders cannot be expected to know how common EDs are among athletes, or to know that coaches aren't trained nor are do they feel empowered to intervene. We are all so used to seeing "athlete" as a synonym for healthy, and we assume that being sick means doing poorly at the sport.

This is our job as a society: spread the word.

Comments

  1. I read that article a while ago. As a 2 sport, division I collegiate athlete I know there's a lot of training involved. I wouldn't have traded in a second of my athletic experience in college. I've been out 8 years and still miss is more than I can even explain.

    Quickly thinking about my field hockey team, I can count at least 4 people whom I knew had an eating disorder, including myself. Out of the 24 girls on the team, I'm sure there were others who had EDs and I didn't know about it.

    I remember going for runs before lacrosse practice so I can "get in better shape," or working out after pratice because I didn't get enough of a cardio workout.

    I know other sports are more prone to EDs but every athlete is at risk. Even with all the recognition I received and the awards I got, I wonder how much better I could have been if I ate normally/healthy.

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