Psychosocial predictors of drive for muscularity in male collegiate athletes

Associations between anthropometry, body composition, and body image in athletes: a systematic review

Introduction

Poor body image is a potent risk factor for disordered eating and eating disorders. Athletes are a population at increased risk for eating disorders despite reports of lower body image concerns compared to non-athletes. Body size and composition may influence an athlete's susceptibility to poor body image.

Methods

Five electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus) were searched to systematically evaluate the literature regarding the association between body measures (i.e., anthropometric and body composition indicators) and body image in athletes. The systematic review was completed following PRISMA guidelines and 27 cross-sectional studies were identified for inclusion and evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Analytical Cross-Sectional Studies.

Results

Studies differed in methodological assessment of anthropometry or body composition (i.e., self-reported versus researcher-measured), methods for evaluating aspects of body image, geographic location, and sport type. Higher body mass index (BMI) or percent body fat (%BF) was significantly associated with greater body dissatisfaction in 16 of 22 studies (72.7%). Positive associations between body measures and aspects of negative body image were most consistently observed among studies that assessed BMI based on self-reported heights and weights, while significant associations between body composition measures (e.g., %BF, fat mass, fat-free mass) were less common. Four of seven studies assessing relationships between BMI and an aspect of positive body image reported significant inverse relationships, while three revealed insignificant associations.

Discussion

Overall, higher BMI and body fat were associated with body dissatisfaction among athletes. Future studies are needed to confirm these findings within focused populations and utilizing body composition methods (e.g., bioelectrical impedance techniques).

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, CRD42023446518.

Family pressure and support on young adults' eating behaviors and body image: The role of gender

Families play a key role in establishing eating habits of children, yet whether families continue to influence eating behaviors of young adults remains an open question. It is also not clear whether associations between family variables (i.e., support and pressure) are similar for adult sons and daughters regarding eating pathology. The present cross-sectional study examined family correlates on disordered eating, body satisfaction, and drive for muscularity. The aim was to examine the associations of family support and family pressure with eating pathology, and to determine whether gender moderated the associations. Among 365 undergraduates (Mage = 18.9 years, 62 % Caucasian, 48 % female), neither family pressure nor family support were significantly associated with the drive for muscularity, whereas both were associated with disordered eating, and family pressure was associated with body satisfaction. Gender moderated the relationship of family pressure and body satisfaction (p = 0.03) and, unexpectedly, the relationship of family support and disordered eating (p = 0.02). Contrary to prediction, family pressure had stronger associations with body satisfaction for men (i.e., men had a more robust association (beta = -0.31, p < .001) than women (beta = -0.19, p = 0.004)). For women, the relationship of family support and disordered eating was not significant (beta = 0.07, p = 0.452); but, was significant for men (beta = -0.25, p < .001). These findings suggest that family pressure and support are associated with eating pathology among young adults, and that in some instances the associations were larger for men, thus highlighting the importance of including men in eating pathology research. Pending replication, these results suggest that family attitudes, behaviors, and support may be necessary topics to address when designing prevention programs for young adults.

A mixed method approach to evaluating eating-related psychopathologies in collegiate student-athletes

OBJECTIVE

To examine the presence of body image concerns, drive for muscularity, and disordered eating behaviors in collegiate student-athletes.

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred and one NCAA Division I student-athletes participated in Phase I; 15 of these also participated in Phase II.

METHODS

This study employed a mixed method, sequential explanatory design. Participants first completed survey measures assessing body image concern, drive for muscularity, and eating behaviors. These results influenced open-ended, semi-structured interviews, which were thematically analyzed.

RESULTS

Body image and disordered eating behaviors were of greater concern than drive for muscularity. Student-athletes reported engaging in eating behaviors as opposed to not eating, yet these eating behaviors trended toward disordered behaviors such as obsessive "healthy eating" or orthorexia.

CONCLUSIONS

This study took a novel methodological approach to examining student-athlete body image and eating behaviors. Results emphasize the need for further support and education for student-athletes around body image and eating behaviors.

Self-compassion, body satisfaction, and disordered eating symptoms in male collegiate athletes: A longitudinal analysis

Male athletes are a subpopulation at risk for developing eating disorders and disordered eating concerns, primarily due to the presence of socioculturally-based factors, including body dissatisfaction. Self-compassion may alleviate this risk by improving body satisfaction. To date, no study has examined longitudinally self-compassion's effect on body satisfaction and, ultimately, disordered eating in male athletes. Across two time points separated by four months, we assessed self-compassion, body satisfaction, and disordered eating in 454 male collegiate athletes. Through cross-lagged, panel analysis, after controlling for the Time 1 scores, we determined that: (a) Time 1 self-compassion was neither directly related to Time 2 body satisfaction (β = 0.02, p = .755), nor indirectly to Time 2 disordered eating (β = -0.002, 95% BCaCI [-0.028, 0.014]), and (b) Time 1 body satisfaction directly predicted Time 2 disordered eating (β = -0.12, p < 0.05). Our findings extend past research, demonstrating that body satisfaction is a primary antecedent to disordered eating among male athletes. However, the proposed effects of self-compassion on the body satisfaction to disordered eating relationship were not supported and may be dependent on gender and athlete status.

The Muscularity Bias Internalization Scale: Development and initial validation in Chinese adult men

The present study developed the Muscularity Bias Internalization Scale (MBIS), a measure of muscularity bias internalization, which assesses the extent to which an individual endorses muscularity-based stereotypes and engages in negative self-evaluations due to muscularity. In Study 1, a pool of candidate items was developed. By using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) on a sample of 300 Chinese adult men (M_age = 29.98 years, SD = 7.81), 14 items from the item pool were retained. The 14-item MBIS contained three factors. In Study 2, a second sample of 300 Chinese adult men (M_age = 29.50 years, SD = 7.50) was used to confirm the factor structure of the MBIS, as well as to examine its reliability and validity. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) further confirmed the three-factor structure of the MBIS with a good model fit. The MBIS showed high internal consistency reliability and high two-week test-retest reliability. The MBIS also showed good construct validity with measures of drive for muscularity, muscularity-oriented disordered eating, and muscle dysmorphia symptoms. The newly developed MBIS may help understand the role of muscularity bias internalization in the development and maintenance of muscularity-oriented body image and muscularity-oriented disordered eating.

Overweight preoccupation is associated with eating pathology in male collegiate athletes with body dissatisfaction

PURPOSE

This study examined specific aspects of body dissatisfaction and drive for muscularity as correlates of eating pathology and explored sport confidence as a moderator of these associations in male collegiate athletes.

METHOD

Ninety-three male collegiate athletes who endorsed body dissatisfaction and were enrolled in a body dissatisfaction intervention study completed baseline measures of appearance orientation, appearance evaluation, overweight preoccupation, muscularity-oriented attitudes and behaviors, eating pathology symptoms, and sport confidence.

RESULTS

There were significant associations between overweight preoccupation and cognitive restraint, purging, binge eating, and excessive exercise, appearance orientation and cognitive restraint, negative appearance evaluation and restricting, muscularity-oriented attitudes and binge eating, and muscularity-oriented behaviors and excessive exercise. Low-to-moderate sport confidence moderated the association between muscularity-oriented behaviors and purging.

CONCLUSION

Findings highlight a need for interventions targeting drive for muscularity and body dissatisfaction, especially overweight preoccupation, in male collegiate athletes. Findings additionally suggest a need to further examine the utility of sport confidence in prevention and intervention programs targeting eating pathology in larger samples of male athletes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

V, Cross-sectional descriptive study.

Reducing eating disorder risk among male athletes: A randomized controlled trial investigating the male athlete body project

OBJECTIVE

No study to date has investigated an intervention program for male athletes that targets eating disorder risk factors. The purpose of this study was to measure the effects of the Male Athlete Body Project (MABP), an adaptation of the Female Athlete Body Project on body dissatisfaction, drive for muscularity, body-ideal internalization, and muscle dysmorphia.

METHOD

Participants were 79 male collegiate athletes who were randomized to the MABP (n = 39) or an assessment-only control condition (n = 40). All participants completed psychometrically validated measures at three time points: baseline, post-treatment (3 weeks after baseline for the control condition), and 1-month follow-up.

RESULTS

Hierarchical Linear Modeling assessed differences between conditions across time. Interaction effects revealed that participation in the MABP improved satisfaction with specific body parts and reduced drive for muscularity and body-ideal internalization at post-treatment compared to a control group. Athletes in the MABP also reported increased body areas satisfaction and reductions in drive for muscularity at 1-month follow-up. Reductions in supplement use were observed at 1-month follow-up only.

DISCUSSION

This study provides preliminary evidence of the efficacy of the MABP in reducing some eating disorder risk factors up to 1 month after the intervention; follow-up study considerations are discussed.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT04077177 PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: This study highlights the importance of eating disorder and body image intervention efforts for male athletes. Findings suggest that male college athletes who attended a 3-session group intervention based on a well-established program for college women experienced an increase in satisfaction with specific body areas and a reduction in some eating disorder risk factors (e.g., drive for muscularity, supplement use, and body-ideal internalization) compared to a control group.

The frequency of weigh-ins, weight intentionality and management, and eating among male collegiate athletes

Sociocultural pressures in male athletics emphasize masculinity in the form of muscularity, leanness, and physical strength. Although research has examined extensively weight, weigh-ins, and weight pressures among female athletes, these issues have been minimally considered with male athletes. Thus, our purpose was to examine the weight environment and practices of NCAA (i.e., Divisions I, II, III) collegiate male athletes from 19 different sports (e.g., basketball, cross country, golf, tennis, wrestling). Specifically, we surveyed 698 male athletes regarding frequency and circumstances of team weigh-ins, weight management behaviors, weight intentions, caloric intake, and guidance received for healthfully managing weight and eating. Overall, relatively few male athletes reported undergoing mandatory team weigh-ins (21.8%). However, within this subgroup required to engage in them, most weigh-ins occurred at least once per week or more (59.2%), and most athletes' weights were made public (75.7%). Just over 30% of the weighed athletes used at least one strategy to prepare for weigh-ins, primarily relying on exercise or caloric restriction. The majority (85.2%) wanted to change their weight, primarily by gaining muscle mass. Most athletes received guidance from qualified sources (e.g., athletic trainer) regarding healthy weight management (63.5%) and nutrition (70.2%). Overall, few male athletes are subjected to mandatory weigh-ins, and such participation is not related to pathological weight control behaviors. Further, male athletes appear to have access to qualified sources for information on healthful management of weight and eating, which may help them as they pursue their goals of increased muscularity and strength.

Body Image Among Elite Rugby Union Players

Gibson, C, Hindle, C, McLay-Cooke, R, Slater, J, Brown, R, Smith, B, Baker, D, Healey, P, and Black, K. Body image among elite rugby union players. J Strength Cond Res 33(8): 2217-2222, 2019-There is limited information on the risk of eating disorders (EDs) and body image of elite male athletes. However, research studies suggest that there are some athletes who have poor body image and they may be at increased risk of developing EDs. Therefore, the current study investigated risk of EDs, body image, and the relationship with age, in elite rugby union players during their preseason training period. This cross-sectional study was undertaken at the start of the preseason among elite rugby union players in New Zealand. Twenty-six professional rugby union players completed a 49-item questionnaire on body image and disordered eating. A "body image score" was calculated from questionnaire subscales including "drive for thinness," "bulimia," and "body dissatisfaction," with total scores above 20 indicative of poor body image. Body image scores varied from 8 to 39 out of a possible 0-100. Disordered eating behaviors were reported, including binge eating at least once a week (15%, n = 4/26), pathogenic weight control use (4%, n = 1/26), and avoidance of certain foods (77%, n = 20/26). There was a statistically significant inverse association between the bulimia subscale and age (p = 0.034). At the start of the preseason training period, many elite rugby union players experience disturbances in body image. The prevalence of disordered eating behaviors is of concern, and needs to be minimized due to the negative impact on health and performance. A focus on assessment and education of younger male rugby players may be required to reduce disordered eating patterns.

"Despite being an athlete, I am also a human-being": Male elite gymnasts' reflections on food and body image

Our aim was to investigate the prevalence of symptoms related to eating disorders, disordered eating and body image perception, and attitudes toward eating in a group of elite male artistic gymnastics. Seventeen athletes took part in this quali-quantitative, cross-sectional study. Presence of eating disorders symptoms, and body image perception and satisfaction were assessed using validated questionnaires. Focus groups were held to discuss their attitudes toward eating and body image perception in more detail. Little to no evidence of symptoms consistent with eating disorders was observed, and this was supported by the qualitative data. However, some concerning practices and attitudes were described. Negative emotional eating cycles appeared prevalent (e.g. feelings of anger, stress and anxiety creating a desire to eat "junk foods", followed by guilt and regret). Body image perception and attitudes toward body weight's influence on performance varied widely. Some athletes expressed a desire to lose weight and believed that this would positively impact their performance, while others believed weight to be irrelevant and focused on feeling strong and vital. Athletes believed their female counterparts experienced far greater pressure to maintain low body weight and described some very concerning practices. We conclude that eating disorders and disordered eating did not appear to be prevalent among these elite male artistic gymnastics. However, some concerning attitudes and practices were observed and should be addressed with nutritional support programmes encompassing psychological and behavioural aspects of eating. These programmes should be extended to support staff and significant others, in addition to athletes.

An Inductive Thematic Analysis of Male Competitive Figure Skaters’ Experiences of Weight Pressure in Sport

The purpose of this qualitative investigation was to examine male competitive figure skaters’ experiences of weight pressure in sport. Specifically, male skaters’ perceptions of the ideal skating body, sources of weight pressure in elite figure skating, and the perceived role of their sport in shaping body image, athletic performance, eating, and exercise behaviors were explored. Through a social constructivist lens, an inductive thematic analysis was used to examine the contextual influences of the skating environment. Thirteen male figure skaters ages 16–24 (M = 18.53, SD = 3.33) with an average 10.38 years of skating experience (SD = 4.05) were interviewed. Skaters identified the parameters for the ideal body in skating along with specific weight pressures, body image concerns, and weight management strategies. Similar to female skaters, male skaters perceived that body image affected psychological factors that influence sport performance. Sport psychologists and consultants should be attentive to the skating environment and how specific performance and appearance demands may influence an athlete’s mindset.

Bulimic Symptomatology Among Male Collegiate Athletes: A Test of an Etiological Model

We tested Petrie and Greenleaf's psychosocial model in relation to male athletes' bulimic symptomatology. Through structural equation modeling, we cross-sectionally examined the direct and indirect effects of general and sport-specific appearance pressures, internalization, body satisfaction, drive for muscularity, negative affect, and dietary restraint on bulimic symptomatology. Participants were U.S. male collegiate athletes (N = 698; M_age = 19.87 years) representing 17 sports. With minor respecifications, the model had acceptable fit, and the psychosocial variables explained 48% of the bulimic symptomatology variance. Although all variable paths were significant, sport pressures, such as from coaches and teammates about weight, importance of appearance, and looking good in a uniform, were the most salient latent variable. Athletes' engagement in muscle-building behaviors added uniquely and substantively as well. Our analysis begins to clarify the complex interactions among these psychosocial variables in understanding male athletes' bulimic symptomatology and provides a base from which to develop prevention programming.

Correlates of muscle dysmorphia symptomatology in natural bodybuilders: Distinguishing factors in the pursuit of hyper-muscularity

Muscle dysmorphia (MD) is characterized by the pathological pursuit of muscularity and leanness, which includes eating- and exercise-related practices. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to identify correlations of MD symptomatology in natural bodybuilders. An online survey assessing diet, supplementation and training practices, and MD and eating disorder symptoms was completed by male bodybuilders with recent experience competing in a drug-tested competition. Sixty participants (age 29.6±7.1 years) completed the survey. Eating disorder scores (β=.298), rate of pre-competition weight loss (β=.307) and number of competitions (β=-.257) were significant predictors of MD. The association between the EAT-26 and MDDI underscores the salience of disordered eating pathology in presentations of MD. Supporting this, greater rate of pre-competition weight loss, which may reflect disordered eating practices, is also associated with MD symptomatology. The inverse association of competition experience suggests novice bodybuilders may display increased MD symptomatology.