For more information, or to pre-register for the following symposium, call (650) 724-3783 or visit eatingdisorders.lpch.org

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Many young athletes watch what they eat – from gymnasts who want to look slender to wrestlers trying to "make weight."

But too-strict dieting can evolve into disordered eating that jeopardizes athletes' performance and health. So, as part of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (Feb. 20-26), Lucile Packard Children's Hospital is hosting a community symposium on "Eating Disorders and the Adolescent Athlete."

The free symposium, planned for Feb. 24 at 7 p.m., will help parents, coaches and young athletes learn the warning signs of eating disorders and understand the process for seeking help.

"It’s a chance for the community to interact with experts whose work is dedicated to of the treatment of eating disorders," said James Lock, MD, PhD, psychiatric director of the Comprehensive Eating Disorders Program at Packard Children's.

"In adolescent athletes, it's sometimes difficult to differentiate normal athletic activity from an eating disorder," said Neville Golden, MD, chief of adolescent medicine at Packard Children's.

The symposium will clear up myths about eating disorders in athletes, said Golden, who is also professor of pediatrics at the Stanford University School of Medicine. For instance, missed menstrual periods and recurrent stress fractures aren't a normal consequence of sports; rather, they signal that nutrient needs are not being met. And it's a myth that only female athletes struggle with eating disorders – boys can be affected, too.

In addition to the misunderstandings caused by common myths, "there is a tendency to minimize the early stages of an eating disorder, to say 'It's a phase,'" said Lock, who is also a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Stanford University School of Medicine. But ignoring disordered eating often allows the problem to get worse.

"Early intervention provides the best chance of preventing progression to a serious illness," Lock said.

The symposium, including a question and answer session, will be held in the Packard Children's auditorium and feature presentations by hospital experts:

- Adolescent medicine specialist Jennifer Carlson, MD, will discuss physical health in young athletes at risk for eating disorders, including information on malnourishment in the context of athletic activity.

- Golden will describe the clinical features of Female Athlete Triad, an eating disorder characterized by low food intake, loss of menstrual periods and dangerously low bone density.

- Hans Steiner, MD, a professor emeritus of psychiatry and behavioral science at the School of Medicine, will discuss psychiatric risk for eating disorders among high-school and college-aged athletes.

- Lock will describe clinical treatment programs for eating disorders at Packard Children's.

Inpatient and outpatient treatment at Packard Children’s includes diagnostic evaluation, medical management of complications, psychiatric evaluation and therapy, nutrition assessment and treatment, and coordination with the patient's school or work.

Event Information:
February 24, 7-9 p.m.
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford auditorium
725 Welch Rd.
Palo Alto, 94304
Map

About Lucile Packard Children's Hospital

Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2011, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital is annually ranked as one of the nation’s best pediatric hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, and is the only San Francisco Bay Area children’s hospital with programs ranked in the U.S. News Top Ten. The 311-bed hospital is devoted to the care of children and expectant mothers, and provides pediatric and obstetric medical and surgical services in association with the Stanford University School of Medicine. Packard Children's offers patients locally, regionally and nationally a full range of health-care programs and services, from preventive and routine care to the diagnosis and treatment of serious illness and injury. For more information, visit www.lpch.org.

About The Stanford University School of Medicine

The Stanford University School of Medicine consistently ranks among the nation’s top medical schools, integrating research, medical education, patient care and community service. For more news about the school, please visit http://mednews.stanford.edu. The medical school is part of Stanford Medicine, which includes Stanford Hospital & Clinics and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital. For information about all three, please visit http://stanfordmedicine.org/about/news.html.

CONTACT:

Lucile Packard Children's Hospital
Todd Kleinheinz, 650-725-9666
tkleinheinz@lpch.org
Erin Digital, 650-724-9175
digitale@stanford.edu

KEYWORDS:   United States  North America  California

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:   Education  Other Education  Health  Fitness & Nutrition  Hospitals  Mental Health  Philanthropy  Children  Parenting  Teens  Consumer  Foundation  General Health

MEDIA:

Logo