Disordered eating is a disturbed and
unhealthy eating pattern that can include restrictive dieting, compulsive
eating or skipping meals. It has been associated with a reduced quality of life
across social, physical and psychological dimensions. Exercise attitudes and
behaviors are recognized as having an important role in the aetiology and
maintenance of disordered eating. Research suggests that Individuals with
disordered eating may seek opportunities within the fitness environment to
engage in rigid exercise programmes and seek the support of a personal trainer.
Personal trainers are therefore in a prime position to identify symptoms of
disordered eating. This study aimed to understand how personal trainers
identify and manage disordered eating among their clients.
11 participants (9
males) registered with the UK Register of Exercise Professionals (REP) were
recruited. At the time of interview all were working as personal trainers in
the UK. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken to document their
experiences of working with clients exhibiting symptoms of disordered eating.
The interviews were recorded, fully transcribed and subjected to a thematic
analysis.
Participants
reported a range of signs and symptoms which they believed indicated disordered
eating in a client. These included changes to physical appearance, reduced
exercise performance and ability, changes in exercise attitudes behaviors, and
inadequate food and eating habits as reported in a food diary. All participants also reported difficulties in identifying disordered
eating within their clients. Challenges included a poor trainer-client
relationship, the hidden and secretive nature of disordered eating and a lack
of knowledge and/or confidence about identifying potential eating issues. Besides,
participants reported some confusion with regards to where the responsibility
for management of disordered eating lay.
All in all, participants
described the need for further education and guidelines to increase their
knowledge and confidence in identifying and managing disordered eating among
their clients. The findings from this study will be useful for professional
bodies and practitioners in the development of guidelines and educational
material for personal trainers.
Article by Hilary
J. McDermott, et al, from Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK.
Full access: http://t.cn/E4qp1ev
Image by Living Fitness, from
Flickr-cc.
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