Eating Disorders - frustrated with adults not stepping in

Skinny athletes are at risk whether they are growing or not, but including age would help reduce false positives.

I think you are saying that using weight and height to predict bone density risk would have too many false positive and false negatives. This might indeed be the case, and then it would not be useful. But we would need to see these predictions to see how good or bad they are.

I was partly motivated by a 2023 video where the person dropped from 120 pounds to below 90 and her doctor forbade her from running until she was back at 120. Of course there many other measures were present - recent significant weight loss history, feeling cold, etc. But a number 120 was chosen. Weight is relevant, it is not terrible.

Maybe *any* false positives would be terrible, if they blocked actually healthy runners from NXN/FLN.

So maybe the calculated risk % would have to be just advisory. It could still be helpful as an advisory. All this assumes there is some model that can calculate a reasonably accurate risk %.

No, you're still incorrect. An eating disorder is defined by its SYMPTOMS and NOT defined by the outcomes, such as getting injured or slower.

An eating disorder is a MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION - severe and persistent distortions, distressing thoughts and emotions, and behavior changes. People of all body types can be affected by eating disorders; it's not always visible to detect. The outcomes are

As I mentioned, you really would benefit from reading up on the topic from reputable sources.

Its disgusting. These coaches should be arrested !!!!

This is 100% correct. My daughter has been to running camp with several high level girls who have food accounts, and she noticed that they were not fueling appropriately (only veggies or salad for dinner after a full day of camp). Lots of girls with these accounts also have very restricted diets due to either real or perceived intolerances to common foods (dairy, gluten) or chosen restrictive diets (vegetarian or vegan). Kids who are growing and training need to eat all the foods all the time. When my daughter missed her period for a few months in a row, we added more snacks during the school day and she typically has a "second dinner" at night. She is running faster than ever and hasn't missed a period in two years. We have to do a better job with our kids - you're 100% correct that a parents job is to step in!

I just saw a social media post of a top IL HS female runner winning a race. She looked so thin but no one seemed to notice. All the comments were congratulating her for doing so well. The post also had her on collapsed the ground after her race, and she did not look healthy at all. Makes me very sad no one is stepping in 🙁

I have noticed the same thing in Oregon. Winning racers that are so skinny. Not athletic. Concerns me for my kids in the sport as they look up to the winners and fast kids

Bumping this. Citius posted a pic from a HS race today and it's shameful that no one has stepped in to help this runner. Even pros have started liking Instagram comments about how this can't be condoned.

If you look at some of the comments on that IG post and at comments regarding this runner on FB posts it seems she has family and people close to her supporting, enabling and encouraging her unhealthy behaviors. Very sad situation that will not end well for this child.

Yep. There are now a few people supporting her in the comments and arguing with Grayson Murphy for doing the right thing and calling out Citius. I looked at FB and you're right, there are people in her sphere that seem to be either oblivious to this or outright encouraging it because the results justify it. They should be ashamed of themselves

Stood next to the parents of a wildly unhealthy looking freshman at pre-nats. Her parents were shouting out encouragement while I shook my head because they have an obviously sick 18/19 yr old on their hands. She raced yesterday at NCAAS but no doubt that she is headed for major problems and it is incredibly sad when everyone else can see it coming.

Florida State needs some stepping in

What does that even mean? This minor has a parent, a coach, and a doctor. Who else besides them do you think is going to "step in to help" a minor? The answer is that no one else except a court has any authority to tell a minor to do anything.

Brandeis once stepped in and banned one of their runners from using the track. It was more complicated than that and I am not privy to all the details, just pointing out that outsiders can get involved to an extent.

Not the same thing. You're talking about a college and an adult runner, which is a totally different thing than a minor living with their parents and attending high school. You seriously think some stranger has the authority to jump in and tell parents how to raise their minor kids? That's not how it works.

Uhhhh...I mostly meant that a

Should be the one to step in.

Have you never heard of liability?

Third parties cannot make people eat, but they can ban the person from destroying themselves on their property, in their race, etc.

You're confused. It's the exact opposite. A meet director who wants to avoid liability will let everyone enter.

Has there ever been a meet director who requires everyone to fill in their height and weight on their entry form so that the meet director can decide whether or not to let that person into the race? Of course not. Because that meet director would get sued for discrimination. That's why your idea will never work.

Some of you posters have fantasy ideas that will never work in the real world.