Athletes are often viewed as the picture of health and discipline. They train hard, push their limits, and develop incredible mental toughness. However, when it comes to nutrition and mental health, athletes sometimes face unique challenges that traditional treatment models do not fully address.
This is particularly true for athletes experiencing disordered eating or eating disorders in sport.
In a recent conversation with Stevie Lynn on Real Fuel, Dr. Riley Nickols discussed how specialized care for athletes can make a significant difference in recovery and long-term health. You can listen to the full discussion here:
👉 Athlete-Specific Care: A Game Changer in Eating Disorder Treatment
Understanding the difference between general treatment and athlete-specific care can truly be a game changer.
Why Eating Disorders in Athletes Often Go Unnoticed
Many eating disorders in sport look different from those seen in the general population.
Athletes may appear healthy or high-performing while still experiencing serious issues with fueling, body image, or restrictive eating patterns.
In sport environments, behaviors like these can become normalized:
- strict food rules
- training through fatigue
- ignoring hunger cues
- prioritizing weight or body composition for performance
Because these behaviors are often embedded in sport culture, it can be difficult for coaches, parents, and even healthcare providers to recognize when an athlete is struggling.
In some cases, athletes may even be praised for behaviors that are actually harming their physical and mental health.
Over time, these patterns can contribute to Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs), a condition caused by insufficient energy intake relative to training demands.
This is one reason why specialized eating disorder care for athletes is so important.
Why Traditional Treatment Doesn’t Always Fit Athletes
Most eating disorder treatment programs were designed with the general population in mind.
For athletes, however, recovery involves additional considerations such as:
- training demands
- competition schedules
- sport identity
- performance goals
- relationships with coaches and teams
For example, an athlete recovering from an eating disorder may ask questions like:
- Can training continue during treatment?
- What happens to sport participation if a higher level of care is needed?
- How can recovery occur while maintaining an athletic identity?
These questions require clinicians who understand both eating disorder treatment and sport culture.
Dr. Nickols emphasizes that athlete-specific care helps bridge this gap by creating recovery plans that prioritize medical safety, psychological healing, and sport context.
The Importance of a Collaborative Treatment Team
Effective recovery for athletes often involves a multidisciplinary team approach.
This may include:
- sport psychologists
- eating disorder specialists
- sports dietitians
- physicians
- athletic trainers
- physical therapists
When these professionals work together, they can develop a treatment plan that supports both health and long-term athletic sustainability.
For example, a team may help an athlete:
- restore adequate fueling and energy availability
- address performance anxiety or perfectionism
- rebuild a healthier relationship with training
- determine when returning to sport is safe
Dr. Nickols highlights that this collaborative approach is especially important when addressing concerns such as REDs, which can affect multiple body systems including bone health, hormones, metabolism, and recovery.
Knowing When a Higher Level of Care Is Needed
Sometimes outpatient support is not enough.
Athletes experiencing significant medical or psychological symptoms may require a higher level of care, such as:
- intensive outpatient programs
- partial hospitalization programs
- residential treatment
For athletes, this decision can feel particularly difficult because stepping away from training or competition may feel like losing part of their identity.
However, receiving the right level of care can often be the most important step toward long-term health and returning to sport in a sustainable way.
With proper support, many athletes are able to recover and continue participating in the sports they love.
Athlete Mental Health Support Can Change the Recovery Journey
Athletes deserve treatment that recognizes their unique challenges and goals.
When care providers understand sport culture, training demands, and the psychological aspects of performance, athletes often feel more understood and supported during recovery.
Dr. Nickols notes that this specialized approach can help athletes move toward:
- healthier fueling practices
- improved mental well-being
- sustainable athletic performance
For those struggling with disordered eating in sport or concerns related to REDs, working with professionals who specialize in sport psychology, and athlete mental health care can make a meaningful difference.
Individuals seeking support for eating disorders in athletes, REDs, sport dietitian, or sport psychology services can reach out to schedule a consultation and learn more about athlete-specific care.