Prevalence of Disordered Eating: A Comparison of Male and Female Collegiate Athletes and Nonathletes

2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 186-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura D. DiPasquale ◽  
Trent A. Petrie
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Ncaa Division I ◽  
Weight Control ◽  
Collegiate Athletes ◽  
Division I ◽  
Prevalence Rates ◽  
Athletic Departments ◽  
Weight Control Behaviors ◽  
Female Collegiate Athletes

Eating disorder prevalence rates among athletes vary greatly because of the different ways in which researchers have measured and classified them, and the extent to which they are higher than those found among nonathletes remains unresolved. The present study examined prevalence of eating disorders, body image issues, and weight control behaviors using a valid diagnostic measure. Participants included 146 male and 156 female NCAA Division I student-athletes and a matched sample of 170 male and 353 female collegiate nonathletes. Overall, eating disorder prevalence rates and use of pathogenic weight control behaviors were lower among nonathletes than athletes. Rates for athletes in the current study were lower than previous studies. These findings are likely due to the lack of anonymity the athletes had when completing questionnaires, as data were collected through athletes’ preseason physicals, whereas nonathletes completed questionnaires anonymously over the Internet. Recommendations for athletic departments’ screening for eating disorders are made.

Female Athletes in Retirement: A Test of a Psychosocial Model of Bulimic Symptomatology

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 490-499
Author(s):  
Stephanie L. Barrett ◽  
Trent A. Petrie
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Ncaa Division I ◽  
Latent Variables ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Collegiate Athletes ◽  
Division I ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Female Collegiate Athletes ◽  
Psychosocial Model

Although researchers have examined eating disorders in female athletes, few such studies have been done with athletes who are retired, and even fewer have been quantitative. Thus, the authors empirically tested an established eating disorder theoretical model with 218 former NCAA Division-I female collegiate athletes who had been retired for 2–6 years. In retirement, participants completed measures of general sociocultural pressures related to body and appearance, thin-ideal internalization, body dissatisfaction, dietary restraint, negative affect, and bulimic symptomatology. Through structural equation modeling, the authors examined the direct and indirect relationships among the latent variables while controlling for body mass index and years since retirement. The model fit the data well, supporting the hypothesized direct and indirect relationships among the variables and explaining 54% of the variance in bulimic symptomatology. Despite no longer being exposed to sport pressures that contribute to eating disorders, female athletes experience such symptoms long into retirement.

scholarly journals Gender Differences in Eating Disorder Risk among NCAA Division I Cross Country and Track Student-Athletes

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul A. Krebs ◽  
Christopher R. Dennison ◽  
Lisa Kellar ◽  
Jeff Lucas
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Ncaa Division I ◽  
Student Athletes ◽  
Division I ◽  
Distance Runners ◽  
Eating Disorder Risk ◽  
Cross Country ◽  
Disorder Risk

Purpose. This study compared gender differences in eating disorder risk among NCAA Division I cross country and track distance running student-athletes. Methods. Six hundred thirty-eight male and female student-athletes competing at distances of 800m or greater completed the Eating Disorder Screen for Primary Care (ESP). Scores on the ESP were used as the risk of eating disorders. Results. Females screened positive at higher rates for risk of eating disorders than males on the ESP at a cutoff of 2 (sensitivity 90-100%, specificity 71%) with rates of 45.95%±3.03 and 13.66%±1.80, respectively. Females were also screened positive at higher rates than males at a stricter cutoff of 3 (sensitivity 81%, specificity 92%), with rates of 21.69%±2.50 compared to 4.64%±1.10, respectively. Conclusion. This study highlights that, among distance runners, both males and females are at risk of eating disorders, with females being at higher risk. It also emphasizes the need for screening for risk of eating disorders in this population.

Disorders of the Female Athlete Triad among Collegiate Athletes

2002 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 281-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine A. Beals ◽  
Melinda M. Manore
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Female Athlete ◽  
Collegiate Athletes ◽  
Female Athlete Triad ◽  
Menstrual Irregularity ◽  
Female Collegiate Athletes ◽  
Eat 26 ◽  
Or Team

This study examined the prevalence of and relationship between the disorders of the female athlete triad in collegiate athletes participating in aesthetic, endurance, or team/anaerobic sports. Participants were 425 female collegiate athletes from 7 universities across the United States. Disordered eating, menstrual dysfunction, and musculoskeletal injuries were assessed by a health/medical, dieting and menstrual history questionnaire, the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), and the Eating Disorder Inventory Body Dissatisfaction Subscale (EDI-BD). The percentage of athletes reporting a clinical diagnosis of anorexia and bulimia nervosa was 3.3% and 2.3%, respectively; mean (±SD) EAT and EDI-BD scores were 10.6 ± 9.6 and 9.8 ± 7.6, respectively. The percentage of athletes with scores indicating “at-risk” behavior for an eating disorder were 15.2% using the EAT-26 and 32.4% using the EDI-BD. A similar percentage of athletes in aesthetic, endurance, and team/anaerobic sports reported a clinical diagnosis of anorexia or bulimia. However, athletes in aesthetic sports scored higher on the EAT-26 (13.5 ± 10.9) than athletes in endurance (10.0 ± 9.3) or team/anaerobic sports (9.9 ± 9.0, p < .02); and more athletes in aesthetic versus endurance or team/anaerobic sports scored above the EAT-26 cut-off score of 20 (p < .01). Menstrual irregularity was reported by 31% of the athletes not using oral contraceptives, and there were no group differences in the prevalence of self-reported menstrual irregularity. Muscle and bone injuries sustained during the collegiate career were reported by 65.9% and 34.3% of athletes, respectively, and more athletes in aesthetic versus endurance and team/anaerobic sports reported muscle (p = .005) and/or bone injuries (p < .001). Athletes “at risk” for eating disorders more frequently reported menstrual irregularity (p = .004) and sustained more bone injuries (p = .003) during their collegiate career. These data indicate that while the prevalence of clinical eating disorders is low in female collegiate athletes, many are “at risk” for an eating disorder, which places them at increased risk for menstrual irregularity and bone injuries.

A Qualitative Analysis of Female Collegiate Athletes’ Eating Disorder Recovery Experiences

2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 334-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessyca N. Arthur-Cameselle ◽  
Paula A. Quatromoni
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
Collegiate Athletes ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
Recovery Experiences ◽  
Female Collegiate Athletes ◽  
Professional Care

The purpose of this study was to characterize recovery experiences of female collegiate athletes who have suffered from eating disorders. Participants were 16 collegiate female athletes who experienced recovery from an eating disorder. Participants told their recovery stories in semistructured interviews regarding factors that initiated, assisted, and hindered recovery. The most common turning point to initiate recovery was experiencing negative consequences from the eating disorder. Factors that most frequently assisted recovery included making cognitive and behavioral changes, supportive relationships, and seeking professional care. Hindering factors most commonly included lack of support from others, professional care complaints, and spending time with others with eating disorders. Results suggested that unique features of the sport environment, including coaches’ behavior and team norms, introduce either positive or negative influences on athletes as they work to recover from an eating disorder. Based on these findings, specific treatment and prevention recommendations for athletes are discussed.

scholarly journals 0228 The Impact of Westward Travel Across 9 Time Zones on Sleep Behaviors of Female Collegiate Athletes

SLEEP ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A88-A88
Author(s):  
D J Frisco ◽  
J A Goodrich ◽  
W C Byrnes ◽  
M Holliday ◽  
K P Wright
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Duration ◽  
Ncaa Division I ◽  
Collegiate Athletes ◽  
Sleep Efficiency ◽  
Division I ◽  
Jet Lag ◽  
Sleep Behavior ◽  
Time Zones ◽  
Volleyball Players ◽  
Female Collegiate Athletes

Abstract Introduction Jet lag can significantly impact an athlete’s health and performance. However, the effect of ultra long-haul travel (&gt; 12h flying time) westward across nine time zones on the sleep of female collegiate athletes is limited. We therefore studied the sleep behavior of NCAA Division I female volleyball players on an exhibition tour to China. Methods For this observational study, eleven females were recruited from a NCAA Division I Volleyball team. During the Tour, sleep behavior was monitored using wrist actigraphy (Actiwatch Spectrum, Phillips) before (5 days) outbound travel (PRE-FLIGHT), during air travel to (1) & from (2) China (FLIGHT-DAY 1 & 2) and during the athletes’ tour while in China (TOUR-DAY 1–8). Athletes were instructed to wear the actigraphs at all times, except during competition. Standard parameters were collected from the actigraph including sleep durations and sleep efficiency and expressed as mean ± sd. Results Sleep duration and sleep efficiency were similar for PRE-FLIGHT days (~8.3 hrs ± 1.5, 90.6 ± 3.2%). Sleep duration and efficiency were significantly lower on FLIGHT-DAY 1 & 2 compared to TOUR-DAY and PRE-FLIGHT, but were not significantly different from each other (~5.2 ± 2.4h, 80.5 ± 8.8%). Sleep duration during TOUR-DAY 1–7 followed a quadratic relationship, peaking on TOUR-DAY 1 and reaching a nadir on TOUR-DAY 5, before increasing again through TOUR-DAY 7 (p&lt;0.05). Sleep duration on TOUR-DAY 8 (~5.9 ± 0.9 h) was significantly lower than PRE-FLIGHT and TOUR-DAY 1,2,6 & 7. Conclusion During travel female collegiate volleyball players showed sleep disturbance. Implementation of sleep interventions for jet lag are warranted for athletes traveling across multiple time zones. Support PAC-12 Student-Athlete Health and Wellbeing Initiative, Grant #1554240

How do lean and non-lean female collegiate athletes view the eating disorder education they receive from their coaches?

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jarrod C Hines ◽  
Whitney L Wendorf ◽  
Alexes N Hennen ◽  
Kelsey L Hauser ◽  
Madeline M Mitchell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Student Athletes ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽  
Collegiate Athletes ◽  
Or Education ◽  
Female Collegiate Athletes ◽  
Education Status

Extant research indicates that collegiate coaches often lack the knowledge or confidence required to provide their student–athletes with effective educational experiences related to eating disorders. The current study investigates the prevalence and quality of such experiences from the perspective of lean and non-lean female student–athletes at a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III institution. Participants were asked closed- and open-ended questions in an anonymous online survey. Lean and non-lean participants reported similar rates of education despite differential risk for eating disorders. Approximately 70% of student–athletes expressed a desire for a more comprehensive and long-term program of study. Participants’ confidence in identifying an eating disorder in a peer did not differ based on type of sport or education status, but those who were educated identified more appropriate potential symptoms than did those who were uneducated. This indicates some degree of educational effectiveness. However, education status and type of sport had no bearing on the likelihood of a participant speaking with their coach about their own or a peer’s potential disorder. Educational attempts were therefore insufficient to help student–athletes overcome the shame and consequential secrecy associated with eating disorders. Our results underscore the need for effective education for at-risk student–athletes while also clarifying that both lean and non-lean student–athletes often want to receive more comprehensive education about eating disorders. Current findings highlight specific areas of student–athlete interest about the topic and could be used to help coaches revise their educational efforts to enhance engagement and long-term retention of information.

scholarly journals Programs on a Diet?: An Examination of Athletic Departments’ Eating Disorder Policies at NCAA Division I Universities

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 658-674
Author(s):  
Taylor K. Wise
Keyword(s):  
Ncaa Division I ◽  
Web Search ◽  
Collegiate Athletes ◽  
Division I ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Athletic Department ◽  
Athletic Departments ◽  
Football Bowl Subdivision ◽  
Documentary Analysis ◽  
Division I Football

Disordered eating (DE) plays a significant role in the overall health and athletic performance of collegiate athletes. The present study sought to determine how many NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision Institutions have a policy that specifically addresses the prevention and management of DE for their participating athletes and to examine the content of the existing policies. The study searched for policies in the 128 FBS institutions through an online web-search and by contacting athletic department personnel. A total of 33 currently existing policies on athletes with eating disorders (EDs) were found, 13 of which were found online. A documentary analysis was then conducted to determine the type of information that policies include. Sixteen major themes were found throughout the analysis, including themes that related to prevention, risk factors, identification, treatment, referral, and return-to-play guidelines.

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