Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #99633

Karen M. Perrin, PhD, MPH, RN¹, Teri Malo, MPH², Liz Kennedy³, and Bobbi Davis, PhD³. (1) Dept. of Community and Family Health, University of South Florida, College of Public Health, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. MDC-56, Tampa, FL 33612, 813 974 6704, kperrin@hsc.usf.edu, (2) Dept. of Community and Family Health, University of South Florida College of Public Health, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC-56, Tampa, FL 33612, (3) Tampa Bay YMCA, 110 East Palm Ave., Tampa, FL 33610

Background: For too many children, their first exposure to the negative consequences of being overweight comes when a coach advocates a weight loss to improve athletic performance. Adults who supervise the sports activities may be enthusiastic YMCA volunteers, but lack the training needed to prevent and/or identify the onset of eating disorders.

Purpose: To develop an educational training program and resource guide to increase the awareness of eating disorder and focus on improving self-esteem, minimizing the importance of weight, and providing education on proper weight-control methods and nutrition.

Methods: A 3-part methodology included: a) collecting web-based survey data from coaches, parents and young males and females to determine their knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about eating disorders; level of communication when an eating disorder is suspected; and preferred learning format for training; b) assembling an online community resource guide linked from the YMCA website; and c) developing an educational training program for coaches, physicians, psychologists, athletic trainers, physical therapists, nutritionists, dance trainers, and professionals who work with youth.

Results: The results of the web-based survey were used to develop the education training program linked from the YMCA website for use by volunteer coaches. The resource guide provides the ability to keep the resources complete and up-to-date.

Conclusion: Awareness through education is the first step in identifying and preventing eating disorders. With training, coaches learn to positively influence the physical, psychological, and behavioral aspects of sports, while ensuring the health and safety of young athletes.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Describe how to identify eating disorders among young athletes.
• 2. Identify ways to prevent eating disorders among young athletes by increasing awareness.
• 3. Describe ways to increase awareness about eating disorders among parents and coaches who work with young athletes.
• 4. Explain essential components in a training program for volunteer coaches to increase awareness about eating disorders among young athletes.

Keywords: Children and Adolescents, Physical Activity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.