Have you ever
suspected that one of your clients has an eating disorder? Maybe they always seem exhausted, are taking
two or three cardio classes each day, or lost a significant amount of weight. The secretive aspects of eating disorders make
detection challenging and possibly go unnoticed by family and friends. This puts fitness professionals in a unique
and ideal position to detect individuals who are struggling with eating
disorders. People trust their trainers,
listen to them, use them as role models, and take their advice. Because of this, it
is essential fitness professionals feel equipped and confident in their
abilities to address eating disorder concerns with individuals.
suspected that one of your clients has an eating disorder? Maybe they always seem exhausted, are taking
two or three cardio classes each day, or lost a significant amount of weight. The secretive aspects of eating disorders make
detection challenging and possibly go unnoticed by family and friends. This puts fitness professionals in a unique
and ideal position to detect individuals who are struggling with eating
disorders. People trust their trainers,
listen to them, use them as role models, and take their advice. Because of this, it
is essential fitness professionals feel equipped and confident in their
abilities to address eating disorder concerns with individuals.
Still not convinced? Consider the following
food for thought…
food for thought…
- An
estimated 95% of University students diagnosed with an eating disorder
(both men AND women) are members of fitness centers. - Over one
million people in Canada suffer from
an eating disorder or have significant symptoms. - Of all
psychiatric disorders, eating disorders hold the highest mortality rate due to
natural and unnatural causes. - 25% of all
reported cases are male (7 million). - 91% of University
students attempted to control their weight through diet.
These statistics briefly shed some light on the severity of a
widespread struggle that has a particular hold on people. I know for myself, I
refused to allow a morsel of food pass through my lips without a punishing and
exhausting workout. My body was an enemy that needed to be controlled and
punished through exercise. I remember purchasing a membership at my local gym
and would wake every morning at 5:00am to be the first one there, exercise for
an hour per machine (bike, then elliptical, then treadmill – all while watching
Food Network TV), come home by 9:00am, shower, and off to school. I would compare
myself to everyone at the gym, wondering how in awe they must be of my
magnificent thin creation. But what should you say to someone like me? What should you not say? How can you help? Come join me on Wednesday, August 14th
at 6:00pm in the InfoFIT Education Centre where I’ll share my struggle with anorexia and help clarify this
delicate and tremendously important topic of eating disorders. I’ll dispel some myths, shed some light into
what goes on in the mind of an eating disorder, discuss ways to recover, and
how to approach a client. I’ll have
several resources with me and information on eating disorder programs across
the Province
of B.C.
widespread struggle that has a particular hold on people. I know for myself, I
refused to allow a morsel of food pass through my lips without a punishing and
exhausting workout. My body was an enemy that needed to be controlled and
punished through exercise. I remember purchasing a membership at my local gym
and would wake every morning at 5:00am to be the first one there, exercise for
an hour per machine (bike, then elliptical, then treadmill – all while watching
Food Network TV), come home by 9:00am, shower, and off to school. I would compare
myself to everyone at the gym, wondering how in awe they must be of my
magnificent thin creation. But what should you say to someone like me? What should you not say? How can you help? Come join me on Wednesday, August 14th
at 6:00pm in the InfoFIT Education Centre where I’ll share my struggle with anorexia and help clarify this
delicate and tremendously important topic of eating disorders. I’ll dispel some myths, shed some light into
what goes on in the mind of an eating disorder, discuss ways to recover, and
how to approach a client. I’ll have
several resources with me and information on eating disorder programs across
the Province
of B.C.
Fitness professionals
are very quick and happy to jump on individuals for weight loss, and it is
important to be just as quick to respond to eating disorders.
are very quick and happy to jump on individuals for weight loss, and it is
important to be just as quick to respond to eating disorders.
Hope to see you there.
Amy
Note: The
following statistics have been compiled from specific research studies and
papers found on the National Eating Disorders Information Centre. These
statistics may not be applicable to other groups. See www.nedic.ca/knowthefacts/statisticsArchive.shtml for more information
following statistics have been compiled from specific research studies and
papers found on the National Eating Disorders Information Centre. These
statistics may not be applicable to other groups. See www.nedic.ca/knowthefacts/statisticsArchive.shtml for more information