title: Eating disorder risk, exercise dependence, and body weight dissatisfaction among female nutrition and exercise science university majors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Past research has examined eating disorder risk among college students majoring in Nutrition and has suggested an increased risk, while other studies contradict these results. Exercise Science majors, however, have yet to be fully examined regarding their risk for eating disorders and exercise dependence. Based on pressures to fit the image associated with careers related to these two disciplines, research is warranted to examine the potential risk for both eating disorder and exercise dependence. The purpose of this study is to compare eating disorder risk, exercise dependence, and body weight dissatisfaction (BWD) between Nutrition and Exercise Science majors, compared to students outside of these career pathways.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants (n = 89) were divided into three groups based on major; Nutrition majors (NUTR; n = 31), Exercise Science majors (EXSC; n = 30), and other majors (CON; n = 28). Participants were given the EAT-26 questionnaire and the Exercise Dependence Scale. BWD was calculated as the discrepancy between actual BMI and ideal BMI.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of participants expressed a desire to weigh less (83%) and EXSC had significantly (p = .03) greater BWD than NUTR. However, there were no significant differences in eating disorder risk or exercise dependence among majors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggested there was no significant difference in eating disorder risk or exercise dependence between the three groups (NUTR, EXSC, and CON).
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Exercise, and Health Sciences, Central Washington University , Ellensburg, WA , USA.
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Exercise, and Health Sciences, Central Washington University , Ellensburg, WA , USA.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gee
authors.affiliation: Department of PE & Public Health, Central Washington University , Ellensburg, WA , USA.
authors.forename: Debra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: d'Acquisto
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Exercise, and Health Sciences, Central Washington University , Ellensburg, WA , USA.
authors.forename: Dana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ogan
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Exercise, and Health Sciences, Central Washington University , Ellensburg, WA , USA.
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pritchett
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D014861:Washington / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult