Risk of Disordered Eating Among Division I Female College Athletes.
The purpose of this study was to assess the risk of disordered eating (DE) among female athletes in lean and non-lean sports using the ATHLETE survey. The ATHLETE survey is divided into six different constructs, and a high score indicates a high risk for DE. Eighty-three varsity female athletes from eight Campbell University sports teams completed the survey and a medical history form anonymously. The sports were divided into sports that traditionally have a high risk for DE (lean sports) and those with a low risk (non-lean sports). The lean sports included: cheerleading, cross country/track and field, swimming, and volleyball. The non-lean sports included: basketball, golf, soccer, and softball. The total mean score of the ATHLETE survey for the lean sports was 100.1 ± 17.4, compared to the non-lean sports scoring 90.1 ± 16.9,p= 0.011. The two constructs that showed significant difference between lean and non-lean sports were Social Pressure on Body Shape (lean: 12.2 ± 3.9, non-lean: 9.4 ± 4.6,p= 0.005) and Team Trust (lean: 7.4 ± 3.3, non-lean: 5.6 ± 2.2,p= 0.004). The results indicate that lean sports exhibited a higher risk for development of DE compared to athletes participating in non-lean sports. It appears that the primary influence of DE in these female athletes came from external social pressures that may therefore dictate their exercise and nutritional habits.
Department of Exercise Science, Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC, USA.
Elizabeth K
EK
Wells
Department of Exercise Science, Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC, USA.
Alexandra D
AD
Chin
Department of Exercise Science, Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC, USA.
Jennifer A
JA
Tacke
Department of Exercise Science, Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC, USA.
Jennifer A
JA
Bunn
Eating disorders; anorexia nervosa; bulimia nervosa