| The importance society, especially the media, has attached to attractiveness has become a factor that impacts a female's concern about weight and body shape. Sociocultural and environmental factors can impact a female's body image and eating behaviors. Conforming to the slim ideal is particularly important to individuals in specific environments that place pressure on females to be thin. Specifically, female collegiate student-athletes may be at an increased risk for eating disorders because of factors in the sport environment. Those who are involved with female athletes on a day-to-day basis can be an important source of support. Because coaches are likely to spend a considerable amount of time with student-athletes and have the ability to be influential in their lives, it therefore seems important for coaches to be educated about eating disorders and the risk factors, and to be aware of promoting or ignoring disordered behaviors in their athletes.; Sixty-seven athletic directors were surveyed to determine the availability and content of eating disorder educational programs, the athletic directors' attitude toward such education, and knowledge on the topic. The majority of the athletic departments did not have a training program in place. Nearly 46% of the programs with a program did not make attendance mandatory. Female athletic directors were more likely to offer a training program than male directors. Concern about eating disorders in athletics and availability of funding did not significantly relate to having a training program, whereas a sense of responsibility and satisfaction with their institution did related to having an educational program. In addition, previous eating disorder training did not seem to improve the athletic directors performance on an assessment of knowledge. |
