08/20/2026
Watch this week's episode here:
Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/equilibria-pcs/episodes/Eating-Disorders-are-More-Common-in-Athletes-Than-Youd-Think-e3nlmaq
Youtube: https://youtu.be/O-SnxI_aWog
Athletes who struggle with eating disorders are commonly associated with those who play sports that are more weight- or appearance- based, such as gymnastics or wrestling. However, many people might find it surprising that Any athlete can be just as vulnerable to developing an eating disorder as any of their non-athlete peers. Our guest for this episode is Kendra Becker, PhD, a psychologist who is the Director of Translational Research at the Eating Disorders Clinical and Research Program at Massachusetts General Hospital, the Director of Psychology for the Mass General Brigham’s Women’s Sports Medicine Program, and an Assistant Professor in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. She talks to Kathryn Lodwick-Jones, LPC, NCC, BC-DMT, a therapist and lead for the Eating Disorders Center of Excellence at Equilibria Psychological and Consultation Services, about how student athletes are exposed to risk factors similar to everyone else regarding societal standards, pressures, and life stressors, but also have unique factors that can contribute to developing an eating disorder. She discusses how certain aspects and approaches to treatment can look different for athletes depending on these factors. The role of nutrition and the recovery process from the various psychological and medical consequences of eating disorders in athletes are also discussed.
