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Walton CC, Purcell R, Henderson JL, Kim J, Kerr G, Frost J, Gwyther K, Pilkington V, Rice S, Tamminen KA. Mental Health Among Elite Youth Athletes: A Narrative Overview to Advance Research and Practice. Sports Health 2024; 16:166-176. [PMID: 38173251 PMCID: PMC10916785 DOI: 10.1177/19417381231219230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT Participation in sports during youth is typically beneficial for mental health. However, it is unclear whether elite sport contexts contribute to greater risk of psychological distress or disorder. The aims of this paper are to highlight conceptual issues that require resolution in future research and practice, and to examine the key factors that may contribute to the mental health of elite youth athletes (EYAs). EVIDENCE ACQUISITION A narrative overview of the literature combined with the clinical and research expertise of the authors. STUDY DESIGN Narrative overview. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level 5. RESULTS EYAs experience a range of biopsychosocial developmental changes that interact with mental health in a multitude of ways. In addition, there are various sport-specific factors that contribute to the mental health of EYAs that may become more prominent in elite contexts. These include - but are not limited to - patterns relating to athlete coping and self-relating styles, the nature of peer, parental, and coach relationships, organizational culture and performance pressures, and mental health service provision and accessibility. CONCLUSION A range of critical factors across individual, interpersonal, organizational, and societal domains have been shown to contribute to mental health among EYAs. However, this evidence is limited by heterogeneous samples and varied or imprecise terminology regarding what constitutes "youth" and "elite" in sport. Nevertheless, it is clear that EYAs face a range of risks that warrant careful consideration to progress to best practice principles and recommendations for mental health promotion and intervention in elite youth sport. SORT Level C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney C Walton
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Elite Sports and Mental Health, Orygen, Melbourne, Australia
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Rosemary Purcell
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Elite Sports and Mental Health, Orygen, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jo L Henderson
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jeemin Kim
- Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Kinesiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Gretchen Kerr
- Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joshua Frost
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Elite Sports and Mental Health, Orygen, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Kate Gwyther
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Elite Sports and Mental Health, Orygen, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Vita Pilkington
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Elite Sports and Mental Health, Orygen, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Simon Rice
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Elite Sports and Mental Health, Orygen, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Katherine A Tamminen
- Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Rozzell‐Voss KN, Klimek‐Johnson P, Eichen DM, Brown TA, Blashill AJ. Executive function differences as a function of parent-reported binge eating and weight: Results from the adolescent brain cognitive development study. Obes Sci Pract 2024; 10:e703. [PMID: 38263994 PMCID: PMC10804330 DOI: 10.1002/osp4.703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Binge eating is a relatively common disordered eating behavior among children, and is associated with poor health outcomes. Executive function (EF)-higher order cognitive abilities related to planning and impulse control-may be implicated in both binge eating and pediatric obesity. Although EF deficits are evident among individuals with obesity and/or binge eating, findings are mixed across the lifespan. Methods The present study examined differences in EF among children with varying weight statuses and parent-reported binge eating. The sample included 10,017 children from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study, aged 9-10 years. Results Children with parent-reported binge eating-either with overweight/obesity or normal weight-had significantly lower EF than those with no binge eating and a normal weight status but did not differ from those with no binge eating and overweight/obesity. Children with no binge eating and overweight/obesity also had statistically significantly lower EF than those with normal weight status. Although all significant differences between groups were negligible to very small, results may indicate similar neurocognitive profiles among children with binge eating and those with overweight/obesity. Conclusions Alterations in EF among children with binge eating may not be solely related to weight-specific factors, as significant differences also emerged among children with normal weight status, with versus without parent-reported binge eating. Future research is needed to understand temporal associations between obesity, disordered eating, and neurocognition in children using multi-informant methods for assessing binge eating.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Aaron J. Blashill
- San Diego State UniversitySan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
- San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical PsychologySan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
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Scott CL, Haycraft E, Plateau CR. The impact of critical comments from teammates on athletes' eating and exercise psychopathology. Body Image 2022; 43:170-179. [PMID: 36152480 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2022.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Critical comments from parents or coaches about weight or shape have been associated with athletes' body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. However, research is yet to explore how critical comments from an athlete's teammates may impact on eating and exercise psychopathology. This study aimed to (1) explore whether athletes who reported receiving a teammate critical comment have higher eating/exercise psychopathology and poorer psychological wellbeing versus matched athletes who have not, (2) determine whether gender differences exist in the perceived severity of critical comments and (3) evaluate the moderating role of gender when establishing the relative importance of explicit teammate critical comments versus implicit teammate influences (e.g., modelling) on eating/exercise psychopathology. Athletes (N = 646, Mage=23 years, n = 391 female) completed a survey exploring explicit/implicit teammate influences, psychological wellbeing (self-esteem, anxiety, depression) and eating/exercise psychopathology. Athletes receiving a teammate critical comment (n = 323) had significantly higher eating/exercise psychopathology, anxiety, and lower self-esteem compared to those who had not (n = 323). Females (n = 196) perceived the severity of the comment to be significantly worse than males (n = 127). Explicit critical comments had a greater influence on athletes' eating/exercise psychopathology versus implicit teammate influences. Disordered eating/compulsive exercise prevention efforts with athlete populations should highlight the detrimental impact that athletes' comments can have on teammates' wellbeing and body satisfaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte L Scott
- School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, LE11 3TU, UK
| | - Emma Haycraft
- School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, LE11 3TU, UK.
| | - Carolyn R Plateau
- School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, LE11 3TU, UK
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Associations between average step counts, variability in step counts and nonhomeostatic eating. Eat Weight Disord 2022; 27:2165-2171. [PMID: 35107825 PMCID: PMC9288421 DOI: 10.1007/s40519-022-01362-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Nonhomeostatic drives (e.g., reward and negative emotion) for eating are associated with weight gain over time. Higher average and lower intraindividual variability in physical activity (PA) levels are positively associated with health and weight outcomes, but have not been evaluated in relation to nonhomeostatic eating. The aim of this paper is to examine the associations between PA and nonhomeostatic drives for eating. The hypotheses were that average levels of and consistency in PA would be negatively correlated with nonhomeostatic eating. METHODS Adult participants (N = 432) were recruited online and asked to report objectively measured PA using commercially available PA monitors for the previous 7 days and to complete self-report measures of reward-driven and emotional eating. RESULTS Average daily steps (M = 6519.36) were negatively associated with emotional eating, but were not significantly related to reward-driven eating. Intraindividual variability in steps (M = 2209.85) was not associated with either type of nonhomeostatic eating. Adjusting for relevant covariates (e.g., age, BMI, gender), average daily step count was negatively associated with emotional eating (p = 0.01) but not reward-driven eating (p = 0.31) and variability in step counts was positively associated with reward-driven eating (p = 0.04) but not emotional eating (p = 0.52). CONCLUSION The results suggest that greater average levels and lower variability in PA are related to lower nonhomeostatic eating; thus, complex associations between PA and eating exist, and may impact weight and outcomes of treatment related to eating and weight. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V, cross-sectional correlation study.
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Eichen DM, Strong DR, Rhee KE, Boutelle KN. The complicated relationship among parent and child disinhibited eating behaviors. Appetite 2022; 171:105923. [PMID: 35026372 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2022.105923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Disinhibited eating behaviors (e.g., loss of control eating (LOC) and eating in the absence of hunger (EAH)) contribute to overeating and obesity. This study aimed to evaluate whether these traits are related in parent-child dyads and how the reporter of child eating behavior (parent or child) impacts this relationship. Two-hundred and ninety treatment-seeking children, ages 8-13, with overweight or obesity (BMI percentile for age and sex 85-99.9%) and their parents were included. LOC and EAH were assessed by child report for self, parent report for self, and parent report for child. Parent and child disinhibited eating behaviors were related only when parents reported on both their own and their child's eating behaviors (p-values < 0.04). Child report of LOC and EAH for self was not associated with parent report of LOC and EAH for self (p-values > 0.05). There was a significant interaction between parent's EAH and BMI as it related to parent report of child EAH (B = 0.02; SE = 0.005; p = 0.004) such that parents with lower BMI reported their own EAH to be lower than parents with higher BMI, but parent report of child EAH was similar regardless of the parent's BMI. Disinhibited eating behaviors were related only when a single parent reported on both their own and their child's behavior, suggesting a potential reporting bias. Given that the relation between parent and child disinhibited eating behaviors varies based on who is reporting the child's behavior, it may be important to consider both parent and child report when designing research studies or in clinical settings while also recognizing potential reporting biases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawn M Eichen
- University of California San Diego, Department of Pediatrics, San Diego, CA, USA.
| | - David R Strong
- University of California San Diego, Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Kyung E Rhee
- University of California San Diego, Department of Pediatrics, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Kerri N Boutelle
- University of California San Diego, Department of Pediatrics, San Diego, CA, USA; University of California San Diego, Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, San Diego, CA, USA; University of California San Diego, Department of Psychiatry, San Diego, CA, USA
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