Findings from a web content analysis of resources targeting sporting coaches aimed at educating or upskilling on eating disorders and disordered eating in athletes

Rebecca L Haslam; Erin D Clarke; Scarlett Gray; Rachel Gearon; Kirrilly Pursey

doi:10.1186/s40337-021-00512-7

Findings from a web content analysis of resources targeting sporting coaches aimed at educating or upskilling on eating disorders and disordered eating in athletes

J Eat Disord. 2021 Dec 11;9(1):159. doi: 10.1186/s40337-021-00512-7.

Authors

Rebecca L Haslam^{1

2}, Erin D Clarke^{3

4}, Scarlett Gray⁴, Rachel Gearon⁴, Kirrilly Pursey^{3

4}

Affiliations

¹ Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia. rebecca.williams@newcastle.edu.au.
² School of Health Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia. rebecca.williams@newcastle.edu.au.
³ Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
⁴ School of Health Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.

Abstract

Background: Eating disorders (ED) and disordered eating (DE) are highly prevalent in athletes. Coaches can play a role in the prevention of EDs and DE behaviours and are well placed to support athletes with an ED. However, coaches feel under-qualified and lack time and resources for supporting athletes and it is unclear the quality of training and resources available to upskill coaches in this space. Therefore, a web-based content analysis was undertaken to determine the type and source of online education resources currently available to coaches to help identify, prevent, manage and refer on for ED/DE behaviours.

Methods: Three major search engines were searched using a combination of the following terms: (1) DE or ED resource and (2) coaches or sport. Included websites were specific for DE/EDs in athletes; targeted at coaches or sporting organisations; written in the English language; and published by a reputable site.

Results: Twenty four out of 600 websites met inclusion criteria. The main reasons for exclusion were irreputable sites and websites not targeting coaches. The majority of included webpages were from professional bodies (n = 17) and targeted coaches (n = 24) and sporting organisations (n = 15), with an average quality rating of 4.2 out of 6. All websites provided educational resources but none provided official training. The most common topics discussed on these websites was ED/DE signs and symptoms (n = 17), and the effects of ED/DE on performance, mental and physical health (n = 11).

Conclusion: Few reputable online resources were identified in the current review. There is a need for more comprehensive education and training resources aimed at coaches and athletic organisations to help prevent, identify, manage and refer on for ED/DE behaviours.

Keywords: Athletes; Coaches; Disordered eating; Eating disorder; Web analysis.

Plain language summary

Athletes are at a high risk of developing eating disorders or disordered eating. Coaches are well placed to support athletes with an eating disorder, however it is unclear the quality of training and resources available to upskill coaches in this area. This web-based content analysis was undertaken to determine the type and source of online education resources currently available to coaches to help identify, prevent, manage and refer on for eating disorders and disordered eating behaviours. Few reputable online resources were identified in the current review. This highlights the need for more comprehensive education and training resources aimed at coaches and organisations to assist in the identification and management of eating disorders and disordered eating.

Publication types

Review