A Task Force That’s Making a Difference
The phrase ‘eating disorders’ can be a daunting and uncomfortable topic. No one wants to admit that they exhibit symptoms and signs of disordered eating. At Louisiana State University, a diverse team of scientists, doctors, nutritionists, and other specialists are joining forces to reduce the stigma surrounding eating disorders in college athletes with innovative treatments and early detection.
Counselors, physicians, psychologists, and other professionals spend countless hours working in tandem with the LSU Athletic Department and student-athletes to bring the Eating Disorder Task Force to life. Dr. J. Michael Robinson, the head team physician for multiple LSU sports teams and a member of the Task Force, stresses the importance of collaboration between the professionals in the Task Force. According to Dr. Robinson, the Eating Disorder Task Force works together to determine the best course of action for student-athletes and “to figure out what is best for the athlete, what [they] can do to get them back and feeling better and healthy” (Robinson).
Eating Disorder Task Force (Left to Right): Dr. Tiffany Stewart, Bruce Buggs, Christine Sotile, Dr. James Robinson, Jenny Cihonski, Kayla Lawson,, Dr. LaKeitha Poole, Lyndsey Eckenrode, Reana Weaver, Shelly Mullenix, Derek Calvert
OLOL and LSU Team Physician Dr. Robinson serves on the Eating Disorder Task Force
In order to get student-athletes back and feeling better, the Eating Disorder Task Force employs a variety of techniques. In the world of sports, eating disorders are an ever-present risk due to the environment, from societal pressure to uncomfortably skimpy uniforms. The main goal is to detect symptoms through surveys, physicals, and self- report assessments in early stages of development so that rigorous treatment is not necessary. Prevention is key when dealing with eating disorders and their symptoms. Dr. Tiffany Stewart, clinical psychologist, scientist, established expert on eating disorders and body image, and part of the Eating Disorder Task Force, says that “the goal is to help athletes on the early side of development of symptoms so that they don't ever need to really go to treatment” (Stewart). The longer an athlete struggles with body image and disordered symptoms, the longer it takes to recover. However, the Task Force is prepared to assist student-athletes that may have severe struggles, as well. Outpatient therapy, meetings, and lab monitoring are all possible parts of a multidisciplinary treatment approach that the Task Force uses to manage student-athletes’ symptoms.
Dr. Stewart serves as consultant to the LSU Athletics Eating Disorder Task Force
The LSU Eating Disorder Task Force’s focus on prevention and detection sets it apart from many other college campuses. Athletic departments around the country often place an emphasis on performance over health, leading to athletes overperforming while exhibiting dangerous symptoms of disordered eating. The Eating Disorder Task Force balances the athlete’s performance with whole body health, including mental health, allowing symptoms to be proactively detected and treated. Dr. Tiffany Stewart believes that “LSU is doing something very, very unique here” (Stewart). “The combination of a diverse team, whole health treatment, and early detection makes the Eating Disorder Task Force at LSU a unique and innovative program within collegiate athletics.”
Although the term ‘eating disorder’ may be intimidating, it is an important issue today within college athletics and can impact long-term health if there is no intervention. No one wants to admit that they have symptoms of eating disorders. However, the Eating Disorder Task Force is there to help. To those who may be frightened to reach out and pursue help, Dr. Robinson advocates that the Task Force “wants them to have the best possible student-athlete experience and to make sure that they remain healthy through the education and prevention efforts that are in place” (Robinson). Whether you are coping with body image issues or disordered eating symptoms, the Task Force is available for all student athletes. The Eating Disorder Task Force at Louisiana State University is a group of approachable and talented professionals aimed at preventing, detecting, and treating eating disorders and disordered eating symptoms among student athletes.
