Nutrition and Eating Disorders

It is essential for student‐athletes at Cumberland University to understand the importance of optimal nutrition as it relates to their well‐being as students, as athletes, and as healthy individuals. The athletic training staff will provide and/or find a provider for any student‐athlete who requests nutritional counseling. It is recommended that all student‐athletes at CU have an understanding of the right types of foods to eat and when they should eat each type. The athletic training staff can provide any/all of the information regarding proper nutrition to the student‐athletes.

It must also be understood that the use of extreme weight‐control measures can jeopardize the health of the student‐athlete and possibly trigger behaviors that are associated with defined eating disorders. Coaching staff as well as all other athletic staff members, including the athletic training staff, should have an understanding of the signs and symptoms of defined eating disorders as well as management for student‐athletes that may be suffering from such disorders.

The following are policies and procedures set forth by the CU Athletic Training Department to be followed in accordance with all athletic department members full and part time staff.

Only medical personnel, including athletic trainers or approved specialists (as determined by the CU athletic training staff) may weigh student‐athletes, set weight goals, measure body composition, or interact with student‐athletes in any manner about body composition or body weight.
Coaches who are concerned about the weight or body composition of any student‐athlete must first contact his/her athletic trainer regarding these concerns. A coach may not approach the student‐athlete about these issues for any reason.
Any student‐athlete that needs nutritional counseling should be advised and overseen by his/her athletic trainer. It is to the discretion of each sport’s athletic trainer, and those specialists appointed by the athletic training staff, as to which student‐athletes need further nutritional counsel.
Coaches, athletic trainers, and athletic department personnel are encouraged to emphasize the role of proper nutrition in optimizing athletic performance, they are not however to stress the impact of lower weight and improved performance.

Coaches or other athletic department personnel suspecting a student‐athlete of having an eating disorder should report any signs or symptoms noticed to the supervising athletic trainer. Eating disorders are highly confidential and coaches must understand that information may be limited. Coaches may be involved in treatment at the request of the student‐athlete and management group.

Student athletes with an eating disorder may be prohibited from athletic participation if the student‐athlete fails to comply with treatment or if deemed necessary by the management group.

The following are guidelines on ways to reduce the risk of potential eating disorders:

Frequent weigh‐ins is discouraged.
If weight loss is desired, a program should be started early before the competitive season and involve trained/ knowledgeable staff.
Weight loss programs should be agreed upon by the student‐athlete and the medical personnel with consultation from the coach.
A responsible and realistic weight loss plan should be developed on an individual basis.

*Policy adapted from NCAA Nutrition and Athletic Performance Guidelines, Auburn University Eating Disorder Policy, and ACSM Position stand on the Female Athlete Triad.