Eating Disorders in Young Athletes

In brief: Anorexia nervosa and bulimia are increasingly common in young athletes. In this discussion a physician, a psychiatrist, a dietitian, and three college coaches review the problem and discuss what coaches can do about it. Treatment of eating disorders is much more effective when they are detected early. Coaches need to know the symptoms and potential consequences of these illnesses and are in an excellent position to detect them and to counsel athletes. In their anxiety to win, coaches must be careful of their athletes' overall health and should not encourage them to try crash weight-loss programs, which often lead to eating disorders.