ABSTRACT
This chapter includes a review of literature on eating disorder (ED) assessment and treatment in athletes to identify the best practices for clinical sport psychologists. First, the authors (a licensed psychologist who is a certified mental performance consultant and a registered dietitian nutritionist with expertise treating athletes with EDs) describe a multidisciplinary ED treatment approach and identify core treatment providers for athletes’ best practice care. Next, a comprehensive review of screening and assessment tools to detect ED risk, low energy availability, and other relevant psychological and behavioral factors is presented. The authors endorse specific assessment tools that are reliable, valid, and appropriate for athletes, along with guidance on who and when to screen. In addition, the limited but emerging athlete-specific ED treatment research is reviewed, with a focus on sport-specific factors that influence athletes’ ED recovery. Common concerns that arise during competitive athletes’ ED treatment are discussed such as the need to reduce practice or competition, the role of exercise during treatment, and return-to-play decisions. Athlete-specific treatment recommendations and resources to locate qualified multidisciplinary treatment team members are provided. Finally, the authors articulate limitations of the existing literature, identifying future directions for research on ED screening and treatment for athletes.
