Eating Disorders among Athletes: Public Policy To Promote Social and Individual Behavioral Change.

N

22

Adolescents; At Risk Persons; Children; College Students; Eating Disorders; Elementary School Students; Elementary Secondary Education; Foreign Countries; High Risk Students; Higher Education; Prevention; Psychological Patterns; Public Policy; Secondary School Students; Student Behavior; Symptoms (Individual Disorders); Young Adults

Eating disorders are a complex physiological, psychological, and social illness. Since teachers and coaches should know the signs of eating disorders, some of the ways in which educators can recognize or prevent eating disorders are presented in this paper. Emphasis is placed on teachers and coaches familiarizing themselves with the five "Ps" which include: (1) Predisposition, or the personality types prone to eating disorders; (2) Precipitation, or the initiation of a diet or sport that has been identified with the development of an eating disorder; (3) Perpetuation, or the addictive nature of such disorders; (4) Professional help, which is needed to accurately diagnose and treat eating disorders; and (5) Prevention, which is the best form of treatment for these types of disorders. Particular emphasis is placed on public policy and arguments are made that sports legislation must be updated to be more attuned to the dangers posed by eating disorders. The efficacy of public policy is discussed and evidence for the use of public policy in protecting children using case studies for alcohol and tobacco, is presented. Athletic policies, it is stated, must define precise, acceptable behaviors related to the prevention of pathogenic attitudes and behaviors and the improper use of weight loss methods. Steps on how to enact policies addressing eating disorders are presented. (RJM)

1997

ED409504