Eating Disorders + Body Positive in Sport

About Body Positive in Sport

As health professionals, we have suspect, or already have a good understanding that the way people feel about their bodies is a significant issue, but it may be the case that we don't actually know what to do to help them.

Athletes in particular can get caught up in cultural messaging about bodies which can be conflicting and confusing, leading them to be drawn into "Dr Googling" and/or undertaking behaviours which are unhelpful, or harmful in an effort to change their bodies.

We can make a difference by more deeply understanding the WHAT, WHY and HOW of body image work and become better advocates for our athletes.

This course is suitable for all health professionals working with all athletes or active people.

You'll learn:

• Why is talking about Body Image so important?
• How do athletes actually feel about their bodies? (aka “let’s geek out”)
• Establishing shared definitions - what is "body image" anyway?
• Risks & protective factors
• Scope of practice
• Nuts & bolts - skill building
• Communication & language
• Common tripping points

By the end of these courses, you will be able to:

• Recognise early warning signs of poor body image and eating disorders in the sporting setting, and educate others to be able to do the same
• Identify diagnostic symptoms of poor body image, disordered eating and eating disorders
• Address myths which may precipitate or perpetuate poor body image, disordered eating and exercise behaviours
• Understand eating disorders through the bio-psycho-social and aetiological models
• Identify your scope of practice, and your specific role as a Dietitian within the team
• Understand the history of the Athlete Triad, and the evolution to Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S)
• Administer a basic screening tool, and understand which is best to use in your setting, and why
• Know when to screen, and when to follow through with a more thorough assessment
• How to use your screening and assessment materials as powerful prevention and early intervention tools
• Support others to understand more about body image and eating disorders
• Facilitate a body image, eating disorder prevention and intervention education sessions with athletes, coaches and support staff
• Develop a framework of care with includes effective communication pathways between health team members, athletes and support staff
• Know exactly where to turn to for support and literature which support our work

Course Curriculum - Eating Disorders in Sport

Course Curriculum - Body Positive in Sport

1. Why is body image so hard to talk about, particularly in the sports setting?
2. What does the literature tell us about how athletes are feeling about their body?
3. Body Image - risks and protective factors
4. Defining "body image" and conceptualising "body image work"S
5. Whose job is what? Scope of practice
6. Where to start, assessment
7. Building skills - Mindfulness, Self Compassion, consistent nourishment, self care, advocacy
8. How does body image actually improve?
9. Language & communication
10. Common tripping points & roadblocks
11. Resources & references

Your hosts for the course are

Fiona Sutherland, Directors of The Mindful Dietitian &

Shane Jeffrey, Director of River Oak Health

About Fiona

Fiona is an Accredited Sports Dietitian and Director of The Mindful Dietitian & Body Positive Australia. She has been practising for over 15 years primarily in the areas of eating behaviour, eating disorders, body image, sports nutrition & education/training. She has been integrating the Non Diet Approach into Dietetic practice for over 12 years, and is passionate about supporting Health Professionals to develop skills in understanding more about the complexities of client presentations, and how we can focus on wellbeing. As an Eating Disorders specialist, Fiona has a particular interest in binge eating and finding evidence-based, compassionate ways of working with people in larger bodies. Fiona is also a Sports Dietitian, working with emerging professional dancers at The Australian Ballet School and host of The Mindful Dietitian Podcast. Fiona is a dedicated mindfulness practitioner and Yoga Teacher, bringing a particular emphasis on mindful eating and the intersection of food environment, eating psychology and body image into her work and training. She has trained in MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction), MSC (Mindful Self Compassion) and MB-EAT (Mindfulness Based Eating Awareness Training). Fiona is guest lecturer within Deakin University Dietetics course within the areas of eating behaviour, Body Image, counselling skills and the Non Diet Approach.

About Shane:

Shane is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian with 25 years of experience as a dietitian in both the private and public sectors. During this time he has worked almost exclusively in the field of eating disorders and the non diet approach, establishing himself as a recognised leader in the field both nationally and internationally. Shane is the founder and clinical director of two Queensland based private practices (River Oak Health and Food Mind Body) dedicated to the treatment of eating, weight, and body image concerns, and is the current Treasurer for the Australian and New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders. With a special interest in eating, weight and body image concerns in athletes, Shane has has worked with athletes at all levels and recently developed a framework for guiding the management of exercise during treatment for an eating disorder, which has been presented both nationally and internationally. Shane is passionate about his work, and is excited to be sharing this training opportunity with you.