title: Symptoms of eating disorders among female distance runners: can the inconsistencies be unraveled?
abstract: Research on eating disorders among female distance runners has produced a modest, but inconsistent body of findings. To unravel the confusion, we hypothesized a model whereby studies finding greater symptomatology have involved obligatory runners or elite national/international competitors. Studies not finding greater symptomatology have involved a more typical group of athletes. To test our hypothesis, we used the Eating Disorders Inventory-2 (EDI-2) to compare 20 typical female collegiate distance runners to 35 female undergraduate psychology students. Comparisons were also made with norms in the EDI-2 Manual. Consistent with our model, the distance runners showed no enhanced symptomatology. Indeed, they seemed to be comparatively healthy. Operational definitions to further test the model are discussed.
authors.affiliation: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, USA.
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Ryujin
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Breaux
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Marks
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001828:Body Image; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010555:Personality Inventory; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors; D012420:Running / Q000523:psychology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology*