Helping Athletes with Eating Disorders

From The Critics

Reviewer: Amy Luke, PhD(Loyola University Medical Center)
Description: This book describes eating disorders as they occur in the general population and as manifested in athletes. It provides guidelines for the recognition, management, and prevention of eating disorders within this specific population.
Purpose: The purpose is to provide practical recommendations for sports staff and medical personnel in the athletic management of a population predisposed to eating disorders.
Audience: The primary audience is listed as sports medicine physicians, but it is written at a level more appropriate for nonmedical personnel, such as coaches, trainers, and sports nutritionists. It is written for those working with the athlete at the level of sports training, and it is too nonspecific for those involved with the treatment of the athlete with an eating disorder.
Features: This book is outwardly attractive and contains black and-white illustrations included for decorative flourishes only; they are not integral to the text. In contrast, the excellent reference list is relevant, comprehensive, and current. The book is organized in a clear and logical manner, and the table of contents and index allow rapid location of specific topics. The book contains two valuable appendixes; one lists additional reading resources and the other lists relevant medical resources andsupport gro ups.
Assessment: Although the authors focus on eating disorders within a very select population, they support this approach with a well-referenced book. This is a clearly written guide to educate individuals working with athletes about the identification, day-to-day athletic management, and prevention of eating disorders. Its greatest value will be to those unfamiliar with the manifestations of eating disorders in athletes, not to medical and psychological personnel involved in treatment.

Booknews

Psychologists who direct an eating-disorder program tell how athletes, because of their concern with their size, shape, and weight, may be at greater than average risk for such disorders as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. They suggest to coaches how to recognize and deal with such conditions. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

3 Stars from Doody