NEDA TOOLKIT for Coaches and Trainers
Tips on how to positively intervene
• Approach your athlete sensitively and in private,
while being as direct and straightforward as
possible; use “I” statements to cite the evidence
you see for disordered eating and the impact of
his or her behaviors on both individual and team
performance, while also expressing your concern
for the athlete’s health and well-being.
• Do not judge or criticize your athlete. The goal is
to help the athlete tell his or her parent/caregiver
about the disordered eating, if he or she has not
already done so.
• Seek help as soon as possible. Make a prompt
and appropriate medical referral to a healthcare
specialist familiar with treating eating disorders
(e.g., physician, therapist, eating disorder specialist
or dietitian). Voice your concerns to a responsible
family member or caregiver and to the school’s
student assistance program or health services.
Early detection increases the likelihood of
successful treatment and decreases the likelihood
of serious or long-term medical and psychological
consequences; left untreated a problem that begins
as disordered eating may progress to an eating
disorder. • Be prepared for denial. Many people with eating
disorders and disordered eating do not recognize
that they have a problem, or they suffer from
intense shame about their behaviors. Many will
insist that nothing is wrong with them. Encourage
a medical workup regardless–the worst that can
happen is that they see a physician.
• Encourage your athlete to seek treatment. Ideally,
an athlete can stay involved in his or her sport
while seeking treatment; however, when their
physical health is at risk, be prepared to encourage
the athlete to abstain from participation until
they are given a doctor’s permission to return to
sport participation. Consider the whole person
when making decisions about an athlete’s level
of participation in sport: physical, emotional and
mental health.
• If your athlete is unable to follow treatment
recommendations, consult with the treatment
team about suspending participation until
the athlete is willing to comply. This course
of action may seem harsh. Tell the athlete that
the suspension may feel like a punishment but
is actually a protective action to guard against
possible physical and psychological harm. It
is a communication that says that health is
more important than sport. Even though this
communication is a positive one, it still should be
approached cautiously. Reassure the athlete that
his position on the team will not be jeopardized by
seeking treatment.
• Be open and cooperative with the treatment
team. The most effective treatment for an
eating disorder is to utilize a collaborative
treatment approach consisting of a team of
health professionals (e.g., physician, therapist or
dietitian). As a coach, your support of, trust in, and
cooperation with the team’s treatment plan will be
critical to your athlete’s successful recovery.
• As a coach, your involvement and positive
communications are very important for your
athletes. Be a source of support. Try to maintain
open lines of communication with athletes dealing
with eating issues and support them in their
recovery. Ask them what they need and what
might be helpful in their recovery. Be as sensitive
and understanding as possible. With adolescent
athletes, be alert to changes in self-esteem that can
make their recovery effort more difficult.
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