HealthierU | Why Is It So Hard To Spot Eating Disorders in Athletes?

Everyone knows an athlete. What is harder to know is why so many of them are at risk for developing an eating disorder: as high as 25%, according to some research. In this episode, host Meg Woodward takes a deep dive into this question with the help of an eating disorders counselor and an athlete in recovery. If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, contact the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) helpline at 888-375-7767.

Featured Guests:

• Herani Argoe is a therapist and licensed professional counselor working with adolescents and young adults who have eating disorders.
• Laurel Carlson is a former athlete, pageant contestant and disordered eating survivor.

Student Highlight: Meg Woodward is an avid Ultimate Frisbee player and 2024 Emory graduate majoring in psychology. She was inspired to pursue this question after working as a behavioral health technician for an eating disorder treatment center. 
Studies and sources mentioned in this episode:

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24050467/ 
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25416025/ 
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32525767/ 
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24001492/ 
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14712163/ 
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16177594/ 
• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/245588#burning-energy 

HealthierU's theme music is by TimTaj.

About HealthierU

Produced and hosted by students at Emory University’s Center for the Study of Human Health, HealthierU is a podcast that aims to make sense of the science behind human health. This season, we’re diving into our generation’s burning health questions. Questions like: Is it bad to use the internet to diagnose yourself? Why do so many athletes get eating disorders, and why are they so hard to spot? Is sugar really so dangerous? To find the answers, we’re talking to scientists, nutritionists, counselors, medical professionals and regular folks, every week on HealthierU.

About Emory University's Center for the Study of Human Health:

The Emory Center for the Study of Human Health was developed to expand health knowledge and translate this knowledge to all aspects of life – for the individual and populations as a whole. The Center assembles the extraordinary faculty, researchers and thought leaders from across disciplines, departments, schools and institutions to bring this knowledge to Emory University students and inspire them to become leaders for the next generation in meeting challenges facing human health.

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