Behavioral, Psychological, and Physical Characteristics of Female Athletes with Subclinical Eating Disorders

2000 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 128-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine A. Beals ◽  
Melinda M. Manore
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Energy Intake ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Physical Characteristics ◽  
The Body ◽  
Menstrual Dysfunction ◽  
Subclinical Eating Disorders ◽  
Disordered Eating Patterns

The purpose of this study was to delineate and further define the behavioral, psychological, and physical characteristics of female athletes with subclinical eating disorders. Subjects consisted of 24 athletes with subclinical eating disorders (SCED) and 24 control athletes. Group classification was determined by scores on the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI), the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ), and a symptom checklist for eating disorders (EDI-SC). Characteristics representative of the female athletes with subclinical eating disorders were derived from an extensive health and dieting history questionnaire and an in-depth interview (the Eating Disorder Examination). Energy intake and expenditure (kcal/d) were estimated using 7-day weighed food records and activity logs. The characteristics most common in the female athletes with subclinical eating disorders included: (a) preoccupation with food, energy intake, and body weight; (b) distorted body image and body weight dissatisfaction; (c) undue influence of body weight on self-evaluation; (d) intense fear of gaining weight even though at or slightly below (-5%) normal weight; (e) attempts to lose weight using one or more pathogenic weight control methods; (g) food intake governed by strict dietary rules, accompanied by extreme feelings of guilt and self-hatred upon breaking a rule; (h) absence of medical disorder to explain energy restriction, weight loss, or maintenance of low body weight; and (i) menstrual dysfunction. Awareness of these characteristics may aid in more timely identification and treatment of female athletes with disordered eating patterns and, perhaps, prevent the development of more serious, clinical eating disorders.

The Prevalence and Consequences of Subclinical Eating Disorders in Female Athletes

1994 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine A. Beals ◽  
Melinda M. Manore
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Psychological Consequences ◽  
Restrictive Eating ◽  
Growing Body ◽  
Chronic Dieting ◽  
Subclinical Eating Disorders ◽  
Anorexia Athletica

A growing body of evidence suggests that the prevalence of eating disorders and excessive concerns regarding body weight in certain subpopulations of female athletes are increasing. The pressure on female athletes to improve their performances and physiques, coupled with the general sociocultural demand placed on all women to be thin, often results in attempts to achieve unrealistic body size and body weight goals. For some female athletes the pressure to achieve and maintain a low body weight leads to potentially harmful patterns of restrictive eating or chronic dieting. This paper seeks to further delineate the characteristics of a recently identified subclinical eating disorder in female athletes:anorexia athletica. Research studies that support the existence of subclinical eating disorders will be reviewed. In addition, the possible physiological and psychological consequences of subclinical eating disorders will be explored.

Music Therapy with People Who Have Eating Disorders

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Loth
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Music Therapy ◽  
Significant Role ◽  
The Body ◽  
Music Therapists ◽  
Psychological Issues ◽  
And Control

This chapter gives an overview of approaches, theoretical ideas, and techniques which music therapists have developed to work with adults and older teenagers who have eating disorders. Eating disorders are complex psychological disorders; the restriction of food intake and control of body weight serve to meet a psychological or emotional need. Music therapy can help people to explore and understand the psychological issues that may have led them to using eating as a way of controlling their feelings and emotions. Methods such as free and structured improvisation, songwriting and listening to pre-composed music can be used to help clients to address specific aspects of eating disorder pathology, such as being able to recognise and tolerate their feelings, connect with others, and make links between thoughts, feelings, and the body. Music therapy can have a significant role within the overall treatment of a person with an eating disorder.

Performance-Related Injuries and Exercise Orientation of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I, II, and III Female Collegiate Cross Country Runners

2004 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 17-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon H. Thompson ◽  
Presley Smith ◽  
Rita DiGioacchino
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Ncaa Division I ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Division I ◽  
Division Iii ◽  
Exercise Time ◽  
Menstrual Dysfunction ◽  
Division Ii ◽  
Subclinical Eating Disorders ◽  
Division I Athletes

A serious commitment to sport and exercise may predispose female athletes to the development of eating disorders. The energy restriction and accompanying menstrual disorders that are often associated with eating disorders may increase female athletes’ injury risks. The purpose of this study was to assess NCAA Division I, II, and III female collegiate cross country athletes’ weekly exercise time, rates of injury, menstrual dysfunction, and subclinical eating disorder risks. A paper-pencil survey was completed by athletes (mean age = 19.64 years) from NCAA Division I (n = 82), Division II (n = 103) and Division III (n = 115) colleges across the United States. Division I athletes spent significantly more weekly exercise time (M = 687.97 minutes) than Division II (M = 512.38 minutes, p = .0007) or Division III (M = 501.32 minutes, p = .0003) athletes. When examining rates of menstrual dysfunction, 23 percent reported amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea. Over 60 percent (64.3%) of the athletes reported a performance-related injury, with the knee being the most commonly injured site. 24 percent (23.7%) of the athletes reported having stress fractures. Scores for subclinical eating disorders for Division I athletes were significantly higher (M = 87.11) than Division III athletes (M = 82.94, p = .0042). Division I female athletes may be at an increased risk of developing subclinical eating disorders compared to those competing in Division II or III. Because early identification of those with subclinical eating disorders prevents the progression to eating disorders, further study is warranted.

scholarly journals The applicability of the Eating Disorder Inventory in pregnancy

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Szilvia Dukay-Szabó ◽  
Dávid Simon ◽  
Márta Varga ◽  
Orsolya Koller ◽  
Zoltán Pataki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
The Body ◽  
Multiple Time ◽  
Eating Disorder Inventory ◽  
Cronbach’S Alpha ◽  
Cronbach's Alpha ◽  
Total Correlation

Abstract Purpose The aim of our study was validating Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) among pregnant women, who are vulnerable to eating disorders (EDs). Methods In 2012–2013, 1146 women (aged 18–47 years) completed a questionnaire including EDI during the first 3 days after delivery. We checked factorial validity of three diagnostic subscales of EDI with confirmative factor analysis and internal validity by Cronbach’s alpha and item-total correlation. We also tested discriminative validity by comparing average of the three subscale of EDI in case of ED and non-ED groups. Results When applying the EDI to pregnant women, it seems necessary to exclude five items on three diagnostic subscales: on the Drive for Thinness subscale, 4 items remain (out of 7); on the Bulimia subscale, 6 items remain (out of 7); the Body Dissatisfaction subscale decreases from 9 to 8 items. Cronbach’s alpha and item-total correlation values meet the requirements defined by Garner et al. The internal consistency of the EDI has proved to be appropriate, indicating that it is a reliable screening tool. Conclusions Thinking, attitudes, and behaviors connected to eating, along with the relation to altering body weight change during pregnancy. Vomiting usually accompanies pregnancy; body weight gain within wide limits is also regarded as normal during pregnancy. These behaviors and changes are not feasible to use for measuring ED symptoms. These aspects cannot be neglected when screening eating disorders in pregnant women. Level of evidence Level IV evidence obtained from multiple time series with or without an intervention.

scholarly journals Self-Reported Restrictive Eating, Eating Disorders, Menstrual Dysfunction, and Injuries in Athletes Competing at Different Levels and Sports

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 3275
Author(s):  
Suvi Ravi ◽  
Johanna K. Ihalainen ◽  
Ritva S. Taipale-Mikkonen ◽  
Urho M. Kujala ◽  
Benjamin Waller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Elite Athletes ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Menstrual Dysfunction ◽  
Restrictive Eating ◽  
Eating Disorder Symptoms ◽  
Common Problems ◽  
Sports Data

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of self-reported restrictive eating, current or past eating disorder, and menstrual dysfunction and their relationships with injuries. Furthermore, we aimed to compare these prevalences and associations between younger (aged 15–24) and older (aged 25–45) athletes, between elite and non-elite athletes, and between athletes competing in lean and non-lean sports. Data were collected using a web-based questionnaire. Participants were 846 female athletes representing 67 different sports. Results showed that 25%, 18%, and 32% of the athletes reported restrictive eating, eating disorders, and menstrual dysfunction, respectively. Higher rates of lean sport athletes compared with non-lean sport athletes reported these symptoms, while no differences were found between elite and non-elite athletes. Younger athletes reported higher rates of menstrual dysfunction and lower lifetime prevalence of eating disorders. Both restrictive eating (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.02–1.94) and eating disorders (OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.31–2.73) were associated with injuries, while menstrual dysfunction was associated with more missed participation days compared with a regular menstrual cycle (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.05–3.07). Our findings indicate that eating disorder symptoms and menstrual dysfunction are common problems in athletes that should be managed properly as they are linked to injuries and missed training/competition days.

Prevalence of Subclinical Eating Disorders in Collegiate Female Athletes

2003 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patti L. Williams ◽  
Roger G. Sargent ◽  
Robert F. Valois ◽  
J. Wanzer Drane ◽  
Deborah M. Parra-Medina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Student Athletes ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Collegiate Athletes ◽  
Eating Attitudes ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Scholarship Recipients ◽  
Subclinical Eating Disorders ◽  
Eat 26

This study is an examination of eating behaviors and body image concerns among 587 female collegiate athletes from nine colleges/universities representing 14 different sports. Measures included the Eating Disorders Inventory-2 (EDI-2), the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), and a questionnaire gathering general demographic information, reasons for dieting and/or using other methods of weight control, as well as information about expressed concerns from others regarding the respondents weight. Three sport groups were hypothesized to be at increased risk: athletes whose performance is subjectively scored; athletes who compete in a sport where a low body weight is considered advantageous; and athletes who must wear body conrevealing clothing. Chi-Square and Logistic Regression analyses revealed no association between these sport groups and the presence of a subclinical eating disorder (SED). Additional analyses determined no statistical association between student-athletes competing at the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I level (versus Division II or III level) or student-athletes who were scholarship recipients (versus non-scholarship recipients) and the presence of SED. Student-athletes who have heard expressed concerns from others regarding their body weight were significantly more likely to report the presence of SED (p < .0001). Therefore, special care should be taken with all student-athletes when discussing body weight.

scholarly journals Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Diet Quality Profile of the Lithuanian Team of Deaf Women’s Basketball Players

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (18) ◽  
pp. 6749
Author(s):  
Marius Baranauskas ◽  
Valerija Jablonskienė ◽  
Jonas Algis Abaravičius ◽  
Rimantas Stukas
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Body Composition ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
The Body ◽  
Physical Working Capacity ◽  
Working Capacity ◽  
Women's Basketball ◽  
Basketball Team

There are about 466 million people with hearing impairments in the world. The scientific literature does not provide sufficient data on the actual nutrition and other variables of professional deaf athletes. The objectives of this study were to investigate and evaluate the body composition, the physical working capacity, the nutrition intake, and the blood parameters of iron and vitamin D in the Lithuanian high-performance deaf women’s basketball team players. The female athletes (n = 14) of the Lithuanian deaf basketball team aged 26.4 ± 4.5 years were recruited for an observational cross-sectional study. A 7-day food recall survey method was used to investigate their actual diet. The measurements of the body composition were performed using the BIA (bioelectrical impedance analysis) tetra-polar electrodes. In order to assess the cardiorespiratory and aerobic fitness levels of athletes, ergo-spirometry (on a cycle ergometer) was used to measure the peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) and the physical working capacity at a heart rate of 170 beats per minute (PWC170). The athletes’ blood tests were taken to investigate the red blood cells, hemoglobin, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, ferritin, transferrin, iron concentrations, and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC). The consideration of the VO2peak (55.9 ± 6.1 mL/min/kg of body weight, 95% CI: 51.8, 58.9) and the low VO2peak (56–60 mL/min/kg of body weight) (p = 0.966) in the deaf women’s basketball team players revealed no differences. For the deaf female athletes, the PWC170 was equal to 20.3 ± 2.0 kgm/min/kg of body weight and represented only the average aerobic fitness level. The carbohydrate and protein intakes (5.0 ± 1.3 and 1.3 ± 0.3 g/kg of body weight, respectively) met only the minimum levels recommended for athletes. The fat content of the diet (38.1 ± 4.1% of energy intake) exceeded the maximum recommended content (35% of energy intake) (p = 0.012). The mean blood serum concentrations of 25(OH)D and ferritin (24.1 ± 6.6 nmol/L and 11.0 ± 4.1 µg/L, respectively) predicted vitamin D and iron deficits in athletes. Female athletes had an increased risk of vitamin D and iron deficiencies. Regardless of iron deficiency in the body, the better cardiorespiratory fitness of the deaf female athletes was essentially correlated with the higher skeletal muscle mass (in terms of size) (r = 0.61, p = 0.023), the lower percentage of body fat mass (r = −0.53, p = 0.049), and the reduced intake of fat (r = −0.57, p = 0.040).

Anorexia Nervosa and Depression in a Woman Blind since the Age of Nine Months

1993 ◽  
Vol 38 (7) ◽  
pp. 469-471 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clifford W. Sharp
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Anorexia Nervosa ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Major Depression ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Older Women ◽  
The Body ◽  
Atypical Presentation ◽  
History Of

A woman aged 58 who has been blind since the age of nine months presented with major depression and a 40 year history of an eating disorder characterized by a restriction of food intake and body disparagement. The case is additional evidence that a specifically visual body image is not essential for the development of anorexia nervosa and supports the view that the concept of body image is unnecessary and unproductive in eating disorders. Greater emphasis should be placed on attitudes and feelings toward the body, and the possibility of an eating disorder should be considered in cases of older women with an atypical presentation.

Diabetes and Eating Disorders

2017 ◽  
pp. 221-234
Author(s):  
Liana Abascal ◽  
Ann Goebel-Fabbri
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Eating Behaviors ◽  
Diabetes Management ◽  
Treatment Team ◽  
Disordered Eating Behaviors ◽  
Subclinical Eating Disorders ◽  
Treat Population

Rates of eating disorders are higher in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes than in the general population. Types of eating disorders include anorexia; bulimia; binge-eating disorder; subclinical eating disorders; and an eating disorder unique to type 1 diabetes, intentionally restricting insulin doses as a calorie purge—often referred to by laypeople as “diabulimia.” Women with diabetes and eating disorders (including disordered eating behaviors) have significantly elevated blood glucose ranges, higher rates of hospitalization, higher rates of diabetes complications, and, in some cases, higher mortality rates. This chapter discusses risk factors, presentation, and identification of eating disorders within the diabetes population. Specific recommendations are given for this difficult-to-treat population, including the need for an expanded treatment team as well as the need to establish mutually agreed upon and incremental diabetes management goals.

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