Press Release

Eating Disorders Among Female Athletes: Big Problem, Little Knowledge
First New England Conference to Address Recognition and Treatment, April 11 at Simmons College

BOSTON (March 12, 2002) - Potentially serious eating disorders are far more common among female athletes than among the general public—but few sports professionals know how to recognize or treat them.

Closing that dangerous knowledge gap is the purpose of the first New England conference on eating disorders among female athletes, Fri., April 11 at Simmons College in Boston. "Performing Beyond the Limits: Understanding Eating Disorders in Female Athletes," is sponsored by the Simmons School for Health Studies. The conference is from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Simmons College Main Campus Building, third floor Conference Center, 300 The Fenway.

Screening female athletes for eating disorders can be difficult, professionals say, since many do not want to admit they may have a problem. Left untreated, athletes with eating disorders can suffer serious medical complications such as irregular heartbeat, electrolyte abnormalities, dehydration, and hypotension.

While no hard data exists because of underreporting by athletes who want to continue to play, studies show that female athletes are two to three times more likely than non-athletes to have an eating disorder. Healthcare experts estimate that anywhere from 15-62% of female athletes have an eating disorder.

"This program will help illuminate a dark corner of women's athletics," said Gerald Koocher, dean of the Simmons School of Health Studies. "Only by focusing attention on the problem can we help coaches, parents and health professionals recognize and make a difference in this health endangering condition."

The Simmons conference features sports nutritionists, social workers and health care specialists in the field who will advise how to recognize eating disorders in female athletes from high school through professional sports, how to help them develop a healthier relationship with foods while also being successful athletes, and when and to whom to refer them when the disorder is especially serious.

The conference is designed for coaches, athletes, trainers, nutritionists, nurses, social workers and mental health workers concerned about the issue.

The conference centerpiece features a national female athletic champion who formerly battled an eating disorder and who now works with other female athletes with eating disorders, as well as a presentation by an internationally known sports nutritionist who had treated her.

Joanne Pomodoro, a world senior champion racquetball player who formerly had an eating disorder, will speak on "A Personal Journey" at 10:45 a.m. Pomodoro is a clinical social worker with the Trauma Center and Arbour Counseling Center in Allston, MA, specializing in working with athletes with eating disorders. She is a two-time World Senior Champion racquetball player and a two-time U.S. Open Champion.

The second keynoter is internationally known nutritionist Nancy Clark, director of nutrition services at SportsMedicine Associates, one of the largest athletic injury clinics in New England, and author of the leading book, "Sports Nutrition Guidebook." Clark, who treated Pomodoro for her disorder, speaks at 9:30 a.m. on "Eating Disorders and Athletes: How to Transform Food Fears into Healthful Fueling."

Following question and answer periods and lunch, there will be breakout sessions from l:15-3:30 p.m.. Sessions include helping clients manage the road to recovery, how to identity the signs and symptoms of an eating disorder, how coaches and health care professionals can develop suitable training sessions for female athletes with eating disorders, and managing the practical and legal considerations of female athletes with eating disorders who want to practice and play competitively.

For further information about the conference or to register call 617-521-2653. Conference fee is $75 for those who are not Simmons College graduates, and $50 for Simmons graduates.

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