A former Olympic figure skater and UNC Ph.D. student [Rachael Flatt] is working to fight eating disorders

[Sylvia]

I originally posted this back in March 2018:

Rachael Flatt update: https://twitter.com/cbulik/status/969476100375154689
She is moving to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill this fall to start her Ph.D. in clinical psychology with Cynthia Bulik who (I looked her up online) is the Distinguished Professor of Eating Disorders in the Department of Psychiatry in the School of Medicine there. Go Rachael!

Here's an article published in The Daily Tar Heel on Sept. 16: A former Olympic figure skater and UNC Ph.D. student is working to fight eating disorders
Excerpts:

Flatt understood the prevalence of eating disorders among athletes, especially within the skating community. She said several of her peers suffered from eating disorders and poor body image, due to the “aesthetic nature” of the sport.
Now she is a Ph.D. student under Dr. Cynthia Bulik, the founding director at the UNC Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders. Alongside Apple, uBiome, Recovery Record and the National Institutes of Health, the Binge Eating Genetics INitiative (BEGIN) study aims to predict when participants are most likely to binge or purge based on readings from Recovery Record for Apple Watch.

Bulik’s study is still in the first stage of study, and only 1,000 people have participated so far. In the future, Bulik wants to transform the way that eating disorders are treated, since half of those who are treated for bulimia nervosa or binge eating disorder never fully recover or are prone to relapse. Bulik and Flatt hope to bring this treatment to the athletic world and adapt the approach for athletes with body image issues.
Flatt also hopes to do research regarding transitioning athletes out of competition and into everyday civilian life, a process she found particularly challenging.

Rachael was profiled in this UNC-Chapel Hill "Meet a New Tar Heel" video in August, walking around campus and skating at a local rink: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8hj1tN8uKI
“I really feel strongly about changing the culture with regards to athletes and eating disorders because it is such a huge problem in figure skating and aesthetically-based sports in general. ... I had body image issues of my own because I had people walk up to me saying 'well you look like you could drop 20 pounds' when I'm like 15 years old, and that's really inappropriate.”

 

[BittyBug]

All the for Flatt and may she be successful in her pursuit.

 

[skatesindreams]

I admire her for addressing this; and working to find effective treatment(s).

 

[Winnipeg]

Good for her!!!! AEO

 

[bardtoob]

Put clips from TLS in your research, Rachel.

 

[kwanfan1818]

What great news!

 

[dramagrrl]

"I had body image issues of my own because I had people walk up to me saying 'well you look like you could drop 20 pounds' when I'm like 15 years old, and that's really inappropriate.”

I'm just quoting this again because I feel like there are a lot of posters here who need to read it and do some hard thinking.

 

[PRlady]

I'm going to love her as a scientist and human being even more than I disliked her skating. Go, Rachel!

 

[Jot the Dot Dot]

I'm just quoting this again because I feel like there are a lot of posters here who need to read it and do some hard thinking.

B * I * N * G * O ! I always loved Rachael as a skater, as a person, and as a pin-up cutie! If she's not your cup-of-tea, so be it, but some critics comments have been so looney-toon!

 

[Aussie Willy]

Thank you so much for posting this. It is a really important issue in sports and great to see her taking an active interest in it and wanting to do something about it. All the best to her.

 

[Barbara Manatee]

Rachel is going to go far and make a difference in the world. All the to her.

I had people walk up to me saying 'well you look like you could drop 20 pounds' when I'm like 15 years old, and that's really inappropriate.

It's not appropriate or appreciated at 25, either, or any other age.

 

[mollymgr]

That's great news about Rachael. I love to see successful athletes become even more successful after their career is over.

 

[once_upon]

Good for her.

 

[paskatefan]

That's wonderful news! You go, Rachael!

 

[B.Cooper]

I originally posted this back in March 2018:

Here's an article published in The Daily Tar Heel on Sept. 16: A former Olympic figure skater and UNC Ph.D. student is working to fight eating disorders
Excerpts:


Rachael was profiled in this UNC-Chapel Hill "Meet a New Tar Heel" video in August, walking around campus and skating at a local rink: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8hj1tN8uKI
“I really feel strongly about changing the culture with regards to athletes and eating disorders because it is such a huge problem in figure skating and aesthetically-based sports in general. ... I had body image issues of my own because I had people walk up to me saying 'well you look like you could drop 20 pounds' when I'm like 15 years old, and that's really inappropriate.”

This is sad,
"I had body image issues of my own because I had people walk up to me saying 'well you look like you could drop 20 pounds' when I'm like 15 years old, and that's really inappropriate."


when you look at Flatt at age 15....that would have been her debut at the US championships in 2007 perhaps?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hvYIYkNjfM

And you know those comments probably came from USFS officials... :-(

 

[overedge]

Maybe The Skating Lesson could have her on as a guest to discuss her research and knowledge on this issue.

Oh, wait a sec, didn't Dave in his Aunt Joyce stage say that Rachel was fat?
http://auntjoycesicecreamstand.blogspot.com/2010/10/what-do-you-do-with-problem-like-rachel.html

 

[Japanfan]

I'm going to love her as a scientist and human being even more than I disliked her skating. Go, Rachel!

Yes, her skating was basically just really dull to watch IMO. She may have be technically competent, but she lacked the wow factor.

Nonetheless, she is obviously an intelligent, mature young women with a lot of integrity.

Wish her all the best with her new undertaking.

 

[Winnipeg]

Sure did not appear heavy to me.............what a mean thing to say

 

[skatesindreams]

She wasn't.
I was there.

 

[VGThuy]

Maybe The Skating Lesson could have her on as a guest to discuss her research and knowledge on this issue.

Oh, wait a sec, didn't Dave in his Aunt Joyce stage say that Rachel was fat?
http://auntjoycesicecreamstand.blogspot.com/2010/10/what-do-you-do-with-problem-like-rachel.html

Gosh reading some of those comments...

 

[screech]

Oh, wait a sec, didn't Dave in his Aunt Joyce stage say that Rachel was fat?
http://auntjoycesicecreamstand.blogspot.com/2010/10/what-do-you-do-with-problem-like-rachel.html

That post is horrible!
And seriously, a 'lesbian hairdo' and 'graceless skating' are indicative of Canadian ladies?!!???

 

[Japanfan]

Gosh reading some of those comments...

People can be so mean!

From what I can see Rachel is a grounded, intelligent and well-balanced young women. I am sure some of the more nasty comments at the site were made when she was competing, and she was aware of them. She never let them get her down or get in her way.

She is quite a strong role model for girls and young women, IMO.

 

[SorrySkater]

This is sad,
"I had body image issues of my own because I had people walk up to me saying 'well you look like you could drop 20 pounds' when I'm like 15 years old, and that's really inappropriate."


when you look at Flatt at age 15....that would have been her debut at the US championships in 2007 perhaps?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hvYIYkNjfM

And you know those comments probably came from USFS officials... :-(

Thanks for sharing! I remember being impressed with her and believing she was undermarked. Same was true at the Olympics. I think she’s one of the more under-appreciated past US skaters. I would have love to see what a different coach could’ve done with her, during her more competitive years.

 

[Sylvia]

Finding Her Purpose: Rachael Flatt Embarks on Doctoral Program by Lois Elfman: https://usfigureskatingfanzone.com/...achael-flatt-embarks-on-doctoral-program.aspx

Full article with photos can be read online in the October issue of SKATING magazine (pages 8-9): http://content.digitalpub.blue-soho.com/web/y5b2/0A1uvwc/Oct.2018.SKATING/html/index.html?page=8

 

[giselle23]

Maybe The Skating Lesson could have her on as a guest to discuss her research and knowledge on this issue.

Oh, wait a sec, didn't Dave in his Aunt Joyce stage say that Rachel was fat?
http://auntjoycesicecreamstand.blogspot.com/2010/10/what-do-you-do-with-problem-like-rachel.html

That was just mean. It's one thing to not like her programs or specific aspects of her skating but another to post the worst picture he could find and insult her hairdo and call her skating hulkish and stomach-turning. That is the real Dave Lease, I think.

 

[coppertop1]

Those armchair athletes need to be quiet and educate themselves. Just because a female skater isn't a petite porcelain doll type doesn't mean she's fat. It just means they have to an athletic, healthy body. This is why people need to stop saying athletes need to lose weight or that they look chunky. Good for Rachael for addressing the issue.

 

[Sylvia]

Congrats to Rachael on her engagement! 4 photos: https://twitter.com/RachaelFlatt/status/1140616361812475904

It was an incredibly exciting weekend for [Eric] @eiwashita and I! We closed on our first home here in North Carolina! Our pup, Jax, will now have a great yard to chase squirrels and then...... this happened! We couldn’t be more excited for a lifetime of adventures together!!

ETA that Jax can be seen in Rachael's IG photos 5 & 6: https://www.instagram.com/p/Byz72SXhuym/

 

[kittyjake5]

Awww Congrats to Rachael! She looks great and love her ring!

 

[Japanfan]

TA that Jax can be seen in Rachael's IG photos 5 & 6: https://www.instagram.com/p/Byz72SXhuym/

Beautiful dog, beautiful couple.

 

[rosewood]

Congrats to the happy couple! I still rewatch Rachel's East of Eden. Lucky guy!