I want to begin by acknowledging that I fully understand and respect the difference between a Registered Dietitian and anyone else who refers to themselves as a nutritionist. I emphasize this distinction regularly when teaching students, reminding them that clients deserve to be referred to an RD because of the depth of your training, expertise, and credentialing. I’m very much fighting the good fight alongside you.

As you likely already know, the connection between injury and disordered eating behaviors (or eating disorders more broadly) is well-established. Decades of research has shown that higher levels of disordered eating are associated with increased injury occurrence in athletes [2-5]. More recent work has expanded this picture, demonstrating a positive correlation between disordered eating and increased days missed from training or competition due to injury [1].

From a psychological standpoint, these patterns have direct implications for an athlete’s mental and emotional landscape as they navigate injury. When disordered eating slows an athlete’s progress through the phases of rehabilitation, and subsequently delays their return to sport, the stakes become significantly higher. This can mean missed opportunities to secure a college scholarship, falling behind in skill development, heightened fear about whether they can return to their previous level of performance, increased insecurity, and other compounding stressors.

On the flip side, just as much as food (or lack thereof) can impede recovery from injury, food can also help client’s better heal from injury. While the goal isn’t to tell you what you already know, Dr. Erdner aims to fill a critical gap by enhancing interdisciplinary efforts. While an interdisciplinary approach is widely recognized as best practice, implementing it consistently can be challenging amid demanding workloads and competing responsibilities. By partnering with The COPE Center, you will gain practical, evidence-aligned strategies for integrating psychological programming directly into your existing workflows. This allows your programming and psychological care to function cohesively rather than as separate, compartmentalized components.

Overall, this collaborative approach strengthens the sustainability of your services, elevates the quality of your programming, and ultimately enhances outcomes for the clients you serve. As with any client, when further assistance is needed, The COPE Center is also here for you when a referral is required for more in-depth psychological care.

If you’re interested in learning more, please complete the interest form below. From there, we can discuss how Dr. Erdner’s expertise can best support you or your team. Note: All programming is customized to each clinic’s unique audience, workflow, and goals, ensuring you receive services tailored specifically to your needs.

References

1. Fatt, S.J., Hay, P., Geroge, E., Jeacocke, N., Rogers, K., & Mitchison, D. (2025). A longitudinal investigation of performance and injury outcomes associated with disordered eating in elite athletes. Sports Medicine, 11, 1-10.

2. Gusfa, D., Mancine, R., Kennedy, S., Bashir, D. A., & Saffarian, M. (2022). The relationship between disordered eating behaviors and injury rates in adolescent athletes. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 55(1), 131-134.

3. Hamstra-Wright, K. L., Bliven, K. C. H., Coumbe-Lilley, J. E., Djelovic, E., & Patel, J. (2023). The relationship between eating disorders, disordered eating, and injury in athletes: A critically appraised topic. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, 32(4), 474-481.

4. Rauh, M. J., Nichols, J. F., & Barrack, M. T. (2010). Relationships among injury and disordered eating, menstrual dysfunction, and low bone mineral density in high school athletes: A prospective study. Journal of Athletic Training, 45(3), 243-252.

5. Thein-Nissenbaum, J. M., Rauh, M. J., Carr, K. E., Loud, K. J., & McGuine, T. A. (2011). Associations between disordered eating, menstrual dysfunction, and musculoskeletal injury among high school athletes. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 41(2), 60-69.