Disordered Eating
The purpose of this policy is:
1. To make it clear to student-athletes, coaches, and health-care providers that the Cornell University Department of Athletics and the Cornell Health view eating disorders as a serious health problem.
2. To facilitate cooperation among student-athletes, coaches and health-care providers in identifying and providing education, support and treatment for student-athletes suffering or recovering from eating disorders.
Disordered eating or an eating disorder can jeopardize the physical and psychological long-term well-being of a student-athlete in addition to affecting his/her athletic performance. It is important, therefore, that athletes, coaches, athletic trainers and team physicians be knowledgeable about eating disorders and the resources available at Cornell University to evaluate and treat them. Coaches, athletic trainers and team physicians, as well as athletes themselves, have an important role in the identification and management of eating disorders.
Criteria for participation of a student-athlete in intercollegiate sports are based on overall physical health, not based on the absence of an eating disorder. Eating disorders are treated like any other injury that may jeopardize an athlete’s health and safety. Athletes with a suspected or identified eating disorder should be assured that the concern of Cornell University’s health-care providers and athletics personnel is his/her health and safety. Approval for training and competition for those being treated for eating disorder or disordered eating is determined by the chief of sports medicine and the Cornell Healthy Eating Program lead physician.
Resources are available through the Cornell Healthy Eating Program to help athletes, coaches or athletic trainers who becomes aware, or suspect that an athlete may be struggling with an eating disorder. When evaluating or treating an intercollegiate athlete, the CHEP Team will routinely ask and encourage the athlete to permit the coach to be aware of and involved in their care. Coaches and athletic trainers can have an important role in developing a treatment plan, in motivating the athlete to follow the treatment plan and in supporting the athlete in his/her recovery.
Without the express written consent of the athlete, confidentiality regarding an athlete’s eating disorder, medical condition and treatment will be strictly respected.
