Episode 327
Episode 327 is an Expert Edition featuring Megan Kuikman, Registered Dietitian & Sports Nutrition Researcher sharing around Disordered Eating in Sport.
Megan Kuikman, registered dietitian and sports nutrition researcher is currently completing her PhD at the Australian Catholic University. Megan researches the area of relative energy deficiency in sport and in todays episode we discuss disordered eating in sport. Disordered eating in simple terms is an eating behaviour that is not optimised, it may range from what is commonly perceived as normal dieting to reflect in some of the same behaviour as those with eating disorders. An individual with disordered eating may regularly engage in behaviours such as skipping meals, compulsive eating, compulsive exercise, and or restrictive eating, but without meeting all required criteria for a diagnosed eating disorder. There can be health and performance consequences that accompany disordered eating. It’s been estimated that the prevalence of disordered eating and or eating disorders in athletes ranges from 0 to 19% in males, and 6% to 45% in females.
Recently, the Australian Institute of Sport and the National Eating Disorders Collaboration collaborated to provide a set of guidelines for athletes coaches, support staff, clinicians and sporting organisations as a call to action to all involved in sport to be aware of poor self image and poor body image among athletes and potential disordered eating behaviours.
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“It’s impairing physical and mental health”
“low energy availability can occur without disordered eating”
“Athletes are at higher risk than the general population”
“If you think you're struggling with this, you probably are struggling with this”
“Somebody who develops Red-S or who doesn't consume enough calories, this can spiral into an eating disorder”
“low ferritin levels could be a warning sign of low energy availability”
“make sure that all nutrition advice and all things that are being implemented in diet are individualised and specific to that athlete and their specific circumstances” – Best Advice
“Take a spontaneous rest day” – Physical Challenge
Website: @megankuikmanrd
Instagram: @megankuikmanrd
Twitter: @megankuikmanRD
Linkedin: @Megan Kuikman
0:00 Start
04:20 Welcome Megan
05:40 The definition of Disordered Eating
11:15 The advantage of addressing and discussing Eating Disorders
13:20 The prevalence of Disordered Eating
17:30 Risk Factors that could lead to an Eating Disorder
26:20 Advice for those who suspect someone or themselves has an eating disorder
28:50 Management Tips to help an athlete through Eating Behaviour Disorder
33:25 Why seeing a dietitian could be very beneficial
39:25 Links between Disordered Eating & Red-S
42:20 Identifying Red-S
45:05 The concept of Amenorrhea (Menstrual health)
49:13 The Importance of female representation in research
51:50 Megan’s upcoming studies requiring participants
54:10 Best advice
55L50 Physical Challenge
1:00:11 Finish
Australian Institute of Sport: Disordered eating in high performance sport position statement
Margo Mountjoy - Clinical Prof, Sports Medicine Physician, Episode 232 of The Physical Performance Show
Renee McGregor - Leading Sports Dietitian & Author, Episodes 258, 297 and 308 of The Physical Performance Show
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