In association with Anorexia & Bulimia Care (ABC) and Institute of Sports and Recreation Management (ISRM), the Fitness Industry Association (FIA) has developed a new set of guidelines designed to help club managers deal with vulnerable exercisers who are at risk of, or already suffer from, eating disorders.

The new guidelines are part of a skills strategy designed to help fitness professionals deal more effectively with a wider community.

Now available free of charge to all FIA and ISRM members from the FIA and ISRM websites, the guidelines are an accessible reference document to help all fitness professionals understand the condition, raising their awareness of the symptoms as well as psychological and behavioural indicators.

David Stalker, FIA executive director, says: "Every responsible operator has an explicit duty of care to everyone who sets foot on their premises, but to date we have had very limited information on how to identify and deal with anyone we suspect may be suffering from an eating disorder."