Athletes have an increased risk of developing eating disorders (EDs) compared to non-athletes. Coaches are in a unique position to identify symptoms and promote timely support; however, research has not yet explored coaches’ mental health literacy about DSM-5 EDs and related orthorexia and muscle dysmorphia conditions in elite athletes. Eighteen Australian elite sport coaches from aesthetic, weight-class, and endurance sports participated in individual semi-structured interviews to investigate their mental health literacy of EDs and related conditions. Four themes emerged from the data. Theme 1 ( highlighted coaches’ awareness of maladaptive perfectionism as a key risk factor, limited awareness of EDs without observable weight loss, and conceptualisation of EDs as a nutritional issue. Theme 2 () highlighted the helpfulness of building trust with athletes, accessing support staff, emphasising body functionality, and lived experience. Theme 3 () highlighted coaches’ challenges with communicating about body image, responding to denial, and funding constraints. Theme 4 () highlighted coaches’ desire for in-person, interactive training and to support junior-level coaches. These findings may assist in developing tailored educational resources to improve coaches’ ability to identify and manage eating-related concerns in athletes.

中文翻译：

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澳大利亚精英体育教练对运动员饮食失调、正食症和肌肉畸形的心理健康素养：一项定性研究

与非运动员相比，运动员患饮食失调（ED）的风险更高。教练处于独特的地位，可以识别症状并促进及时支持；然而，研究尚未探讨教练员对 DSM-5 ED 的心理健康素养以及精英运动员相关的正念和肌肉畸形状况。来自审美、重量级和耐力运动的 18 名澳大利亚精英体育教练参加了个人半结构化访谈，以调查他们对 ED 和相关状况的心理健康素养。数据中出现了四个主题。主题 1（强调教练员意识到适应不良的完美主义是一个关键风险因素，对没有明显体重减轻的 ED 的认识有限，以及将 ED 概念化为营养问题。主题 2 () 强调与运动员建立信任、获得支持人员的帮助，强调身体功能和生活经验。主题 3 () 强调了教练在沟通身体形象、回应否认和资金限制方面面临的挑战。主题 4 () 强调了教练对面对面、互动培训和支持青少年的渴望这些发现可能有助于开发量身定制的教育资源，以提高教练识别和管理运动员饮食相关问题的能力。