Author Question: How are eating disorders treated? ... (Read 67 times)

altibaby · **on:** Aug 20, 2018

How are eating disorders treated?

Question 2

What is the female athlete triad, and why is it important for parents, coaches, and health care providers to be aware of the warning signs when working with athletes?

itsakadoozi · **Reply #1 on:** Aug 20, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Initially, the person with an eating disorder doesn't recognize she or he has a problem and may resist getting help. Family/friends need to provide support and encourage the person to seek appropriate help. Treatment goals must match the eating disorder. A team approach is most effective. The sooner the intervention occurs, the better the chance of full recovery. Recovery is usually a long and slow process. Treatment usually involves counseling for the entire family.

Answer to Question 2

The female athlete triad consists of disordered eating combined with amenorrhea and osteopenia. It is a complex relationship based on the effect of very low fat stores on estrogen levels, and lack of estrogen causing bones to become dangerously weak, leading to osteopenia. The prevalence of disordered eating and eating disorders among collegiate athletes is estimated to be between 15 and 60. Identifying the prevalence of the female athlete triad is challenging because female athletes are unlikely to report amenorrhea. Repeated injuries such as stress fractures are often a sign that there may be a problem.