Ohio Athletic Trainers Learn to Spot Health Risks in Student Athletes

Athletic trainers are often seen as the ones who rush in when an ankle is sprained, or a concussion is suspected. But this week, many of Ohio’s athletic trainers are preparing to respond to something far less visible — and just as dangerous: eating disorders.

At the 2025 Ohio Athletic Trainers’ Association Annual Meeting and Clinical Symposium, held May 16–17 at the Nationwide Conference Center in Columbus, trainers will receive new guidance on recognizing the warning signs of eating disorders and disordered eating in athletes.

Athletic trainers are licensed healthcare professionals who specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating injuries related to physical activity. But their role has grown to include supporting the mental and emotional well-being of athletes — especially adolescents and young adults. That includes understanding how performance pressures, nutrition, and body image intersect.

To support this evolving responsibility, Brittany Davis, MEd, LPCC-S, senior regional director for The Emily Program, will lead a session titled “Supporting Athletes: Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating — What to Know, What to Look For, and What to Do.” The Emily Program is a nationally recognized leader in eating disorder treatment, with locations in Columbus and Cleveland.

“Many athletes struggling with eating disorders don’t fit the stereotypes,” Davis said. “They’re high-achieving, disciplined, and often praised for pushing themselves — which can mask disordered behaviors that quietly put their health at serious risk.”

The pressures of athletic competition and the emphasis on body size and weight in many sports can contribute to unhealthy habits. For some athletes, particularly in appearance- or weight-focused sports, these stressors can be the tipping point.

Research shows that up to 45% of female athletes and up to 19% of male athletes may experience disordered eating or an eating disorder during their athletic careers. Yet many cases go unnoticed — not just by families or coaches, but by the athletes themselves.

The consequences are serious. Disordered behaviors like restrictive eating or overtraining can diminish performance, increase injury risk, and affect long-term health. And while stepping away from a sport to seek treatment is never easy, it’s often life-saving — and can make it possible for athletes to safely return.

Three-time Olympic gold medalist and cross-country skier Jessie Diggins has shared her story of struggling with an eating disorder as a teenager, even while rising in the ranks of elite sport. Her decision to seek help at The Emily Program changed the course of her life — and her recovery has become a key part of her platform.

Diggins has said she hopes other athletes know they’re not alone. “It shouldn’t be taboo to talk about body image and mental health,” she’s shared. “Help is out there, and asking for it can save your life.”

This training helps Ohio athletic trainers extend their care beyond the field or gym. From sideline conversations to long-term athlete support, they’re in a unique position to notice early signs and guide athletes toward help.

In a state where tens of thousands of students participate in school sports each year, this kind of compassionate, whole-person care makes a difference. Thanks to education like this, more student-athletes in Ohio will be supported