Essay
The bill I will be talking about today is an act relating to the Minnesota High School League requiring to provide coaches with eating disorder prevention education resources. Providing coaches with eating disorder prevention resources will be helpful and lift the weight of worrying whether the athlete is eating or not. Coaches will also be able to learn the risk factors and nature of eating disorders. This bill informs that an eating disorder cannot just happen to non-athletes but to athletes as well. We are aware of the fact that 9% of Americans will have an eating disorder in their lifetime. Each year there are 10,200 deaths due to eating disorders.
It is said that the percentage of male athletes having an eating disorder is 0 to 19% and the percentage of female athletes having an eating disorder is 6 to 45%. This shows that eating disorder prevention education resources need to be provided to coaches. It is reported that eating disorders are commonly found in sports where weight can impact how you perform. Wrestling is one of the sports where you need to weigh a certain amount to be able to compete in your weight class. If you are just slightly over your weight class, you are not able to compete. Wrestlers spend many days before their meet to lose any weight they can.
Having an increased education in eating disorders and the risk factors can play a major play all around in life generally. Eating disorders may often start when individuals are teenagers or young adults, but can also be developed at any age. The risk factors of athletes and just anyone in general who has an eating disorder can be trauma, depression, anxiety, or any other mental health issues. It may also be due to stress, family history, and past weight bullying. As we know, sports are known for their physical and mental health challenges but also their achievements. Developing an eating disorder adds much more to the plate than the sport already has on the athlete.
Coaches care about their athletes. They are determined to help young athletes find the best versions of themselves within the sport they are playing. Whether it is at a game or practice, coaches have a huge positive impact on athletes. They help young athletes to grow and have a growth mindset and help them to be the best they can be physically and mentally. You will always see a player turn to their coach for help whenever they’re having a mental block or if they are physically checked out. Supporting an athlete is what a coach is all about. Providing coaches with the knowledge of eating disorders prevention resources can assist coaches in recognizing signs of eating disorders in athletes to allow for early intervention. Knowing eating disorder prevention will also help guide coaches on how to help their athletes who have already developed an eating disorder.
If this bill is passed, this will not only help coaches but athletes as well. This bill would help the 42% of high school athletes, the 35% of female college athletes, and the 10% of male college athletes that have eating disorders. A bill like this can help the many athletes who were undiagnosed and untreated.
Sources
Becker, K. (2023, July 24). Eating Disorders in Female Athletes. Mass General Brigham. https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/eating-disorders-in-female-athletes
Mayo Clinic (2023, March 28). Eating Disorders. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/eating-disorders/symptoms-causes/syc-20353603
Currie, A. (2010, June 10). Sport and Eating Disorders - Understanding and Managing the Risks. National Library of Medicine. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3289170/#:~:text=In%20the%20world%20of%20sport%20there%20are%20additional%20identification%20difficulties,will%20be%20harder%20to%20spot.
Bunnell, D. (n.d.). Eating Disorder Statistics. National Eating Disorder Association. https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/statistics/
