>>>USA Synchro

An Invitation to Coaches and Judges:
Promoting Healthy Body Images
By Lisa Franseen, Ph.D., Clinical Sport Psychologist
From the Summer 2001 issue of Synchro Swimming USA magazine

"Let's hop up on the scale and see how fat you are!" This is a direct quote I heard from a coach to an 11 year old swimmer, getting weighed before practice. This thin & lean 11 year old wasn't even near puberty and was still built like a prepubescent boy. What shocked me about the coach's comment was that she had, just an hour before, sat through one of my presentations on preventing eating problems from developing in athletes.

Several synchronized swimming coaches have confided in me comments they've heard other coaches and judges use that promote negative body images. References are made to "big butts," "big legs," "having a gut," "chunky," and "gaining weight," directly to swimmers and often right in front of their teammates. There seems to be no regard for the effect that this language may have on the athlete and her self-image. It's a serious issue and difficult to address, as it appears that education and information don't succeed in changing behavior.

The reality is that it is very difficult to hear ourselves objectively. If we think our comments are positive and reinforce a healthy body-image then it will be almost impossible to hear ourselves otherwise. Coaches and judges can hear my presentations and read my articles but it won't change anything if they believe they already refrain from harmful comments. It is for this reason that each of us needs honest feedback from others. It is the only way (I repeat, the ONLY way) we can learn that we are not who we think we are.

Another reason that coaches and judges say inappropriate things is because, as all human beings, we tend to act the way we were treated ourselves. Thus, coaches coach similar to the way they were coached. Negative comments have been around for decades and, if a coach was exposed to an insensitive environment, they are more likely to create a similar environment when they are in charge unless they are very aware and work very hard to change.

I believe the majority of coaches today are aware of the effect that insensitive comments can have on their swimmers. To name a few effects: Depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, body disgust, social withdrawal, agitation, obsession with weight and food, compulsive overexercising, decreased motivation, poor sleep, and a loss of concentration. I look at this list and wonder how a swimmer could possibly compete successfully!? To follow, when she performs poorly she'll most likely blame her weight. The vicious cycle continues.

Another devastating possibility of negative comments: One swimmer I worked with informed me that her coach told her, in front of her teammates, "You're going to have to lose that butt of yours if you ever want to be successful." The girl felt incredible shame and embarrassment and just wanted to run and hide. She compared herself to the other girls and never felt like she matched up (even though she did). She began to hate her body and felt disgust with even normal and expected fatty tissue. She decided right then and there she had to starve herself. When this swimmer came to me for help, she weighed only 82 pounds at five feet, three inches.

There is not, of course, a guarantee that negative comments will cause an athlete to develop a problem. However, coupled with strong societal messages and media images of what girls are supposed to look like, and often a family that has always reinforced thinness, it seems it's just not worth the risk in saying anything.

I understand that some swimmers do need to pay more attention to their food choices and may even be overweight. If this is the case, then address the issue with her in the privacy of your office with as much compassion and sensitivity as you have. And help her to change her behavior or her weight in a healthy way with information and professional help from a registered dietitian. What exactly do you say in your office? How about: "You know, you look great. In the real world, if you weren't an athlete, you wouldn't need to lose weight at all or could even stand to gain a few pounds! However, the reality of this sport is that it expects a certain physique. If you're willing, then let's work together on achieving that in a really healthy way. If not, I totally respect you for that decision."

The Invitation

Ask other coaches to give you honest feedback if they hear you promoting negative body images. Be open to this feedback, rather than defensive, and consider the possibility of change.

If you hear another coach promoting negative body images, offer them feedback. Be honest with as much sensitivity as you'd like that coach to use with their swimmers. It's a great chance to role model. If they choose to get upset about your feedback, remind yourself that it's their issue, not yours.

Work to create a training and competitive environment that empowers the well-being of each athlete and that de-emphasizes body weight.

Become more aware of and work to dispel myths and misinformation about society's "ideal" body image, weight loss, dietary fat versus body fat, as well as body fat and performance.

Make available funds for professionals to educate your team on nutrition, weight management and athletic performance, the dangers of dieting, body composition (scale weight versus leanness), etc.

Have your athletes work with a registered dietitian.

Have written information about eating and weight issues readily available to your athletes.

If you have an eating disorder or issues around weight, body image, or compulsive dieting, please seek professional help, as hard as that may be. You are a role model to your athletes and your attitudes and feelings are contagious.

Don't weigh your athletes.

About the author: Dr. Franseen is a clinical sport psychologist in Denver, Colorado, who began helping athletes with eating disorders when she worked at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. In 1999, she presented at the Annual Aquatics Convention in San Diego and to synchronized swimmers at the elite training camp in San Francisco. She also wrote a 3-Part Article on Eating Disorders for Synchro Swimming in 2000. She is available for presentations and workshops around the country and can be reached at franseen@pol.net.