Episode 66: Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating with Mallory Robalino

In this episode of the “All Things Endurance” podcast, host Rick Prince chats with Mallory Robalino. Mallory is a nurse practitioner specializing in gastroenterology and also holds an MBA in Healthcare Management. Mallory is also a UESCA-certified running coach.  Rick and Mallory chat about many areas related to eating disorders and disordered eating, including physiology, gender bias, health impact and long-term effects.  Below are the specific areas that they discuss during this episode:  1. Could you tell our listeners a bit more about yourself? 2. Could you discuss the difference between disordered eating and eating disorders, if there is any distinction? 3. Could you identify and explain some of the primary eating disorders? 4. As a nurse practitioner specializing in gastroenterology, with respect to eating disorders, what is your primary role? 5. In my experience, a lot of the discussion around eating disorders relates to the psychological side. However, you see the physiological side of it. Could you share some of the physiological effects that eating disorders can have on an individual? 6. Oftentimes, eating disorders are viewed as primarily a female issue. While we know this is not true, can you share any statistics on the percentages of females and males who have or have had eating disorders? 7. A lot of endurance athletes admit that they have or have had an eating disorder. From your experience as both a clinician and an endurance athlete, why do you think this is? 8. Weight loss is a physical change commonly associated with eating disorders. What are some other outwardly visible signs of eating disorders? 9. From a treatment standpoint, does it depend on the severity of the disorder or health of an individual, and is a team approach often the most optimal treatment pathway? 10. Is it possible for a person to have an eating disorder and not be aware of it, or perhaps be in denial of it?  11. What are some of the long-term effects of eating disorders? Use code ATE75 to get $75 off any UESCA coach certification.