For Teachers, Coaches + Community Leaders
Creating Safer Environments Around Food, Body + Movement
Teachers, coaches, school staff, youth leaders, and community members can play an important role in eating disorder prevention and early support.
You do not need to be an eating disorder expert to make a meaningful difference. Small shifts in language, policies, team culture, classroom norms, and referral practices can help reduce shame and create safer environments for young people and community members.
This page brings together trusted tools, books, and resources to help you better understand eating disorders, body image, weight stigma, prevention, and supportive communication.
Whether you are trying to strengthen your classroom approach, create a healthier team culture, or learn how to respond when you are worried about someone, these resources offer practical guidance rooted in compassion, inclusivity, and research.
Your Role Is Not to Diagnose
Teachers, coaches, and community leaders are not expected to diagnose eating disorders or provide treatment.
Your role may be to:
Notice concerning changes in behavior, mood, energy, eating, movement, or social connection
Avoid language that increases shame, comparison, or fear around bodies and food
Create environments where people are not praised or judged based on body size, weight, or appearance
Respond with care if someone shares they are struggling
Refer to appropriate support when concerns arise
You may be one of the first people to notice that something has changed. A calm, compassionate response can matter.
For Teachers + School Staff
Schools can support eating disorder prevention by reducing shame, comparison, and appearance-based messaging.
Helpful shifts may include:
Avoiding classroom activities that require calorie tracking, dieting, BMI calculations, or public body measurements
Being mindful of health lessons that unintentionally reinforce weight stigma
Creating space for body diversity in examples, visuals, and discussions
Watching for changes in mood, concentration, social withdrawal, eating patterns, or exercise behaviors
Knowing your school’s referral pathway for counseling, nursing, or outside support
Supporting students without commenting on their body or food choices in front of others
A student does not need to look a certain way to be struggling.
For Coaches, Trainers + Athletic Staff
Athletes can be at increased risk for disordered eating, especially in environments that emphasize weight, appearance, body composition, or “discipline” over well-being.
Coaches can help create safer team cultures by:
Avoiding public weigh-ins or body composition talk
Not praising weight loss as a sign of fitness or commitment
Encouraging consistent fueling and rest
Treating missed meals, dizziness, fainting, injury, overtraining, or fatigue as concerns worth addressing
Being careful with comments about “leaning out,” “getting in shape,” or “earning food”
Encouraging athletes to seek support early
Collaborating with medical, mental health, and nutrition professionals when needed
Performance and health are not supported by fear, shame, or undernourishment.
For Community Leaders + Youth Programs
Community spaces can influence how people understand bodies, food, movement, and belonging.
You can support prevention by:
Using inclusive images and examples
Avoiding weight-loss challenges or food-shaming campaigns
Creating policies that reduce bullying, appearance-based teasing, and body commentary
Offering food in ways that are neutral and accessible
Making sure staff and volunteers know what to do if they are concerned about someone
Referring people to qualified eating disorder-informed care when needed
Even small changes can help make a space feel safer.
Web Resources
National Eating Disorders Association
The National Eating Disorders Association offers accessible information on eating disorders, prevention, warning signs, and early intervention.
This resource may be especially helpful for adults working with children, teens, students, and athletes.
Recommended toolkits:
Educator Toolkit
Coach and Trainer Toolkit
These toolkits offer guidance on recognizing warning signs, using supportive language, and responding appropriately when concerns arise.
The Body Project
The Body Project is an evidence-based eating disorder prevention program focused on reducing body dissatisfaction and thin-ideal internalization.
It may be useful for schools, colleges, athletic programs, and community organizations interested in structured prevention efforts.
Books + Curricula
These books may be helpful for educators, coaches, parents, prevention specialists, and community leaders who want to better understand body image, eating disorders, weight stigma, and prevention.
Body Image + Eating Disorder Prevention
Body Wars by Margo Maine
Healthy Bodies: Teaching Kids What They Need to Know by Kathy Kater
The Body Project: Promoting Body Acceptance and Preventing Eating Disorders Facilitator Guide by Eric Stice and Katherine Presnell
Inside/Outside Self-Discovery for Teens: Strategies to Promote Resilience, Relationships, and Positive Body Image by Helene Feinberg-Walker, Sarah Barrett, and Jane Shure
Media, Culture + Body Image
Packaging Girlhood: Rescuing Our Daughters from Marketers’ Schemes by Sharon Lamb and Lyn Mikel Brown
Weight Stigma + Health
Big Fat Lies: The Truth About Your Weight and Your Health by Glenn Gaesser
Health At Every Size: The Surprising Truth About Your Weight by Lindo Bacon
Fat Politics: The Real Story Behind America’s Obesity Epidemic by J. Eric Oliver
How to Use These Resources
You do not need to read or implement everything at once. Many people start by:
Reviewing language they use around food, bodies, weight, and performance
Learning early warning signs of disordered eating
Creating policies or norms that reduce shame and comparison
Knowing when and how to refer a student or athlete for additional support
Even one shift toward neutrality, curiosity, and compassion can help create safer environments for the people in your care. If you would like help translating these ideas into practical changes for your classroom, team, or organization, support and consultation are available.