Are Athletes at an Increased Risk for Eating Disorders?

Eating disorders are often seen clustered in certain types of groups, especially groups that are all-female. For instance, cheerleading and sorority groups provide an important outlet for young women to enjoy their hobbies, but an intense pressure to look a certain way sometimes can breed problems in the eating habits of young women that participate in the groups.

One type of group that continually congregates young women together is athletic teams. From a young age, female athletes practice separate from the male athletes, and depending on the coach and atmosphere of the team, there is an opportunity for the requirements for the team to become appearance-based.

A recent study examined attitudes about eating is relation to eating disorders among athletes. Authored by Nikkie Smiley and colleagues, the study was a joint effort by Minnesota State University and the United States Sports Academy Doctoral Graduate Program.

The researchers focused on athletics at a mid-size Midwestern NCAA Division II university, comparing them to non-athletes on the same campus. The prevalence of eating disorders among female athletes in certain sports was analyzed, and the researchers tried to find a connection between eating disorders and several variables, including self-esteem, body image, social pressures, and body mass index.

125 students participated in the study, including 60 athletes and 65 non-athletes. The sports represented by the athletes were softball, soccer, track, cross country, basketball, and volleyball.

The researchers utilized the Eating Attitudes Test to assess the risk each athlete had of developing an eating disorder. The researchers also developed measures to establish analysis of sport-specific connections with eating disorders and the connections between variables like self esteem.

The results of the study showed that there was no significant difference between the athletes and those who did not play sports. There was also no difference in the attitudes displayed by athletes and non-athletes about eating as they relate to eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors, nor were there differences between the sport played and the likelihood of eating disorders occurring.

The results of this study are not consistent with previous research that shows a correlation between athletics and eating disorders. Future studies are necessary to discover whether there might be a difference between divisions in how athletes handle eating behaviors. There may not be as much pressure at a Division II school to present a certain appearance.
 

Tags: athletes, college students