Dr. Cristina Castagnini interviews Julia Werth, a registered dietitian specializing in eating disorders, particularly among athletes. They discuss the complexities of eating disorder treatment, recovery challenges for athletes, and how diet culture impacts both athletes and non-athletes.

Julia Werth is a Registered Dietitian specialized in eating disorders in athletes and pediatrics. She owns a group practice - Werth Your While Nutrition - located in New Haven Connecticut and before she had 3 kids, was regularly podcasting on Life With Ed, the podcast.            

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Eating Disorders in Athletes vs. Non-Athletes

  • Athletes often present with over-exercising combined with inadequate caloric intake
  • May appear to eat "normally" on paper but have significant energy deficits
  • Harder to identify because they're still functioning at high levels

Pathways to Treatment

  • Referrals typically come from:
    • Parents noticing warning signs (missed periods, injuries, emotional changes)
    • Pediatricians identifying physical symptoms
    • Post-treatment center discharge

Balancing Exercise and Recovery

  • Structured approach to reintroducing exercise during recovery
  • Using exercise as motivation for recovery rather than restriction
  • Finding the middle ground between complete exercise prohibition and unrestricted return

Family Dynamics in Treatment

  • Challenges with parents who have their own disordered eating patterns
  • Parent education through courses and support groups
  • Addressing whole-family food environments during treatment

Weight Bias in Medical Settings

  • Problems with relying on BMI as primary diagnostic tool
  • Athletes in larger bodies being overlooked for eating disorder diagnosis
  • Problematic focus on weight loss during pregnancy and postpartum

Sports-Specific Challenges

  • Weight-class sports (wrestling) vs. aesthetic sports (gymnastics, dance)
  • Helping athletes understand strength vs. weight
  • Focusing on performance improvements rather than body size

Intuitive Eating Misconceptions

  • Clarifying that intuitive eating isn't "eating whatever you want without limits"
  • Incorporating how food makes the body feel into eating decisions
  • Finding balance between nutrition rules and food freedom

IMPORTANT TIMECODES FROM THE EPISODE:

  • 00:00 Introduction to Behind the Bite
  • 01:00 Confusing Messages About Health
  • 01:41 Introducing Julia Werth
  • 02:23 Challenges Faced by Young Athletes
  • 03:23 Julia's Journey and Professional Insights
  • 06:39 Identifying and Addressing Eating Disorders
  • 09:19 Balancing Exercise and Recovery
  • 19:53 Parental Influence and Family Dynamics
  • 28:00 Navigating Weight and Body Image in Sports
  • 50:48 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

HOW TO CONNECT WITH JULIA TO LEARN MORE:

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!

Thank you for tuning in to Behind the Bite! If you found this episode helpful, please share it with others who might benefit. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review. 

Until next time, remember, we're here to break down barriers, challenge stigma, and support each other on the path to a better life.

Part of the Los Angeles Tribune Podcast Network, produced by the Tweaky Tales.

**Disclaimer:**

This podcast is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information regarding the subject matter covered. It is given with the understanding that neither the host, the publisher, nor the guests are rendering legal, clinical, or other professional information. If you want or need a professional, you should find one to work with who can address your individual needs and situation.