Eating Disorders in Younger Athletes

Eating Disorders in Younger Athletes

Friday, September 20, 2024

Registration 8:30am Program 9am to 12pm

Presented By: Kimberly Cover, MS, LPC

Location: Live Online Workshop

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

3 CE Credits

Act 48 credit available

Identified Gp(s): Younger athletes are not young adults. Children and adolescents that participate in athletics require special consideration for growth, development and safety. Athletes are at greater risk for disordered eating and eating disorders. Early identification and evidence-based treatment are crucial when working with tween and teen athletes. Three specific areas of concern involve the psychological implications of undernutrition, disordered eating and eating disorder behaviors, as well as supplement use in this vulnerable population.

Description of current state: Clients increasingly succumb to contemporary wellness trends including fad diets, supplement use and exercise programs to achieve their perfectionistic or “ideal” body, eating style and fitness regime. Clinicians, parents and adult coaches often assume that their tween and teen athletes have nutrition needs that are similar to their own. Many of these wellness practices place vulnerable younger athletes at risk for the development of an eating disorder. An evidence-based foundation that fosters the process of mastery in nutrition, body movement and well-being is crucial when working with younger clients. An understanding of tween and teen growth, body diversity and the effects of supportive nutrition regarding psychological, mental, emotional and physical stability cannot be understated.

Description of desired/achievable state:  Mental health professionals that enhance their knowledge related to the consequences of the wellness culture, undernutrition, and supplement use as well as learn effective clinical strategies will improve outcome indicators in this vulnerable population. Early identification and effective treatment modalities will ease the burden on our overwhelmed medical and mental health systems and possibly redirect our younger clients from eating disorder behaviors to a more functional way of life, even save lives!

Objectives:

1. Recognize two potential high-risk client populations in the eating disorder continuum that are often missed
2. Describe consequences of relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S) in the tween or teen athlete
3. Apply two clinical tools when diagnosing and referring clients for higher level of care
4. Compare return-to-play tools for the younger athlete with an eating disorder
5. Summarize safety concerns of supplement use in youth athletes

Kimberly Wright Cover, MS, LPC, RD, CEDS-C, CSSD, LDN, is Co-Chair of the Internation Association of Eating Disorder Professionals Eating Disorders Treatment Facilitator Task Force. She specializes in aspiring athletes that seek to obtain optimal health and sports performance.  She is a prolific writer, book author, and has published in peer reviewed journals.  She developed and managed several outpatient programs and has authored multiple standards of care for sports nutrition, wellness performance teams, and athletes with eating and exercise issues.  She has counseled student-athletes for over 33 years.  Her experience includes working with Elite and Olympic level athletes in a variety of sports including her tenure at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Sports Medicine and Performance Center, the United States Olympic Committee and the University of Pennsylvania’s Athletic Department. She utilizes nutrition and counseling techniques that foster a physiological understanding of the human body, intrinsic motivation, and supportive personalized self-care. She conducts extensive training for multiple international clinicians including physicians, dietitians, and fitness and mental health professionals.  She conducts research and group presentations on mindfulness, sports nutrition, counseling, and eating disorders.  She graduated with distinction as an elite student-athlete from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in dietetics on a gymnastics scholarship and with honors from the West Chester University with her Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology and the Science of Counseling.  Her distinguished service as an Officer in the United States Navy included the development and implementation of a Health Promotion Program, which was utilized by the entire U.S. Fleet.  For inspiring collaborative teamwork and meritorious service as a Naval Officer, she was the recipient of several prestigious awards and decorations.

PSCP: The Psychology Network is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. PSCP: The Psychology network maintains responsibility for this program and its content.