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Eating Disorders in Athletes

ISBN: 978-0-470-01169-0

March 2008

232 pages

Description

For many years it was supposed that eating disorders and pathogenic weight control behaviours were the sole preserve of those athletes participating in the aesthetic and weight division sports. However, more recent research has shown that there are increasing instances of the problem across a wide range of sports and, in addition, the sport environment's emphasis on body size, shape, and weight may place athletes at higher risk o developing eating disorders.

This comprehensive, up-to-date book presents the latest research and applied practice to address all of the key issues relating to sport and eating disorders. The book begins by looking at the underlying factors behind the development of disordered eating. It goes on to consider evaluation, diagnosis and treatment across a wide range of sports, and assesses the various types of treatment available and the practicalities of implementing treatment programmes. A whole chapter is devoted to the role of the internet, both as a source of information and of possible treatment, for athletes with these disorders. The final chapter provides four practical examples and case studies of disordered eating in high-risk sports.

  • Presents the latest research and applied practice relating to sport and eating disorders
  • Describes how to diagnose and assess eating disorders
  • Assesses the impact of the availability of on-line diagnosis and treatment
  • Includes practical examples and case studies of eating disorders in high-risk sports

Eating Disorders in Athletes will prove invaluable to a range of professionals working with athletes including sport psychologists, sport nutritionists, sport medicine specialists and coaches. It will also be essential reading for students on a range of courses within sport science and sport psychology.

About the Author

Joaquin Dosil, PhD, is a professor at the Univesity of Vigo in north-west Spain and head of the doctoral course: 'Current perspectives of physical activity and sport psychology'. He is a foundation member and the former President of the Ibero-American Society of Sport Psychology (SIPD). Dosil is the Director of a Sport Psychology Unit in Santiago de Compostela, where he attends athletes and sport teams from various modalities and levels. He has authored or edited 12 books with the most recent being. The Sport Psychologist's Handbook: A guide for Sport-Specific Performance Enhancement, and published over 60 articles and chapters in Spanish. He frequently participates as a lecturer in International and National Congresses, Masters and Doctoral Degree programmes. Dosil is also an avid runner, specializing in distance events, particularly the half-marathon.

Features
  • Presents an up-to-date combination of the most recent research with applied practice
  • Describes how to diagnose and assess eating disorders
  • Creates a preventative framework to be used in combating eating disorders
  • Assesses the impact of the availability of on-line diagnosis and treatment
  • Includes practical examples and case studies of eating disorders in “high risk” sports