Personality and psychological factors as predictors of disordered eating among female collegiate athletes

Prevalence of disordered eating and its relationship with rapid weight loss amongst male and female combat sport competitors: A prospective study

OBJECTIVES

To compare prevalence and change scores of disordered eating (DE) in combat sport athletes by sex and explore the potential relationship between rapid weight loss (RWL) and DE scores.

DESIGN

Prospective study based on 24 events (September 2022-2023).

METHODS

A body mass (BM) questionnaire was completed at ~1 day post-competition providing pre-competition BM data for -7 days, -24 h, and weigh-in. The Athletic Disordered Eating (ADE) online questionnaire was completed at ~7 and ~28 days post-competition, providing overall DE and four subscale scores (food and energy control, bingeing, body control, and body discontent).

RESULTS

There were 122, 132, and 89 respondents for the BM (77 % male), and ADE questionnaires at 7 (79 % male), and 28 days (74 % male). A large proportion of males' (83 %) and females' (89 %) DE scores were moderate to very high; minimal (17 % vs. 11 %), moderate (36 % vs. 32 %), high (37 % vs. 36 %), and very high (11 % vs. 21 %). Comparing DE change scores in males and females indicated deterioration (5 % vs. 0 %), improvement (3 % vs. 25 %, p = 0.013), and no difference (92 % vs. 75 %). Body discontent change score showed a significant sex difference (p = 0.014), with females improving (42 % vs. 17 %, p = 0.035) and males deteriorating (35 % vs. 4 %, p = 0.008). Correlation analyses were significant for RWL -7 days and males' food control score (R = 0.22, p = 0.031).

CONCLUSIONS

Moderate to very high DE indications were identified in 4 of every 5 combat sport competitors. A sex-specific change in body discontent is evident, and most competitors struggle with their food-body relationship post-competition, irrespective of RWL magnitude.

Body appreciation is associated with optimism/pessimism in patients with chronic kidney disease: Results from a cross-sectional study and validation of the Arabic version of the Optimism-Pessimism Short Scale-2

BACKGROUND

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients encounter many obstacles that affect their physical and psychological well-being. The primary objective of the present study was to investigate potential correlates of optimism/pessimism in a sample of patients with CKD, including socio-demographics, body appreciation and disordered eating symptoms. As a secondary objective, we proposed to examine the psychometric properties of an Arabic translation of the Optimism-Pessimism Short Scale-2 (SOP2) before its use in our sample.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was carried out between April and May 2023, enrolling 108 participants from three hospitals in Lebanon providing insights into their sociodemographic characteristics, physical activity levels, body appreciation, optimism, pessimism, and eating attitudes.

RESULTS

Results indicated that the Arabic-language adaptation of the SOP2 has good reliability coefficients. The two facets of the scale displayed a strong correlation to each other, and highly similar correlations with external study variables (i.e., household crowding index, physical activity, body appreciation, disordered eating), suggesting that the SOP2 can be interpreted as a unidimensional measure for the psychological dispositional optimism as proposed by the developers. Furthermore, findings revealed a strong positive correlation between body appreciation and optimism, suggesting that CKD patients who appreciate their bodies tend to exhibit a more optimistic outlook on life. Conversely, higher body appreciation is associated with lower pessimism, indicating that a positive body image may mitigate feelings of hopelessness and despair in CKD patients.

CONCLUSION

This study contributes to the literature in two ways. First, it offers the Arabic SOP2 as an brief tool to administer, and psychometrically sound instrument that can be useful for clinical and research purposes. Second, it unveils a clear correlation between higher body appreciation and a more optimistic, less pessimistic mindset in patients with CKD.

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.

Perfectionism, Motives, and Barriers to Exercise from a Person-Oriented Approach

Perfectionism is considered to be a significant personality factor within the sport and exercise field. However, very little is known about the reasons why individuals with different perfectionistic tendencies engage or not in physical activity. This study aims, from a person-oriented approach, to analyze if participation motives and barriers may differ among four perfectionistic profiles: Non-Perfectionists (low perfectionistic strivings, PS, and perfectionistic concerns, PC), Adaptive Perfectionists (high PS and low PC), Maladaptive Perfectionists (high PS and PC), and Moderate Perfectionists (moderate PS and PC). A sample composed of 597 (M_age = 22.08, SD = 3.33) undergraduates enrolled in a sport science degree from Ecuador participated in this study. Non-Perfectionists reported lower levels of motives, whereas Adaptive and Maladaptive Perfectionists reported higher scores on all participation motives. Significant and positive correlations were found between PS and both autonomous and controlled motives, whereas PC was positively correlated with controlled reasons and only significantly correlated with some autonomous reasons by the effect of PS. In terms of barriers, Maladaptive Perfectionists reported significantly higher scores on all barriers analyzed in comparison with the other three profiles, with moderate and large effect sizes. The results of the bivariate and partial correlations suggest that these inter-profile differences were explained by PC. Considering the results, it is advised to develop strategies to identify Maladaptive Perfectionists in order to increase their intrinsic reasons for practicing physical exercise, and to minimize their perceived barriers.

Overtraining Syndrome (OTS) and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S): Shared Pathways, Symptoms and Complexities

The symptom similarities between training-overload (with or without an Overtraining Syndrome (OTS) diagnosis) and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) are significant, with both initiating from a hypothalamic-pituitary origin, that can be influenced by low carbohydrate (CHO) and energy availability (EA). In this narrative review we wish to showcase that many of the negative outcomes of training-overload (with, or without an OTS diagnosis) may be primarily due to misdiagnosed under-fueling, or RED-S, via low EA and/or low CHO availability. Accordingly, we undertook an analysis of training-overload/OTS type studies that have also collected and analyzed for energy intake (EI), CHO, exercise energy expenditure (EEE) and/or EA. Eighteen of the 21 studies (86%) that met our criteria showed indications of an EA decrease or difference between two cohorts within a given study (n = 14 studies) or CHO availability decrease (n = 4 studies) during the training-overload/OTS period, resulting in both training-overload/OTS and RED-S symptom outcomes compared to control conditions. Furthermore, we demonstrate significantly similar symptom overlaps across much of the OTS (n = 57 studies) and RED-S/Female Athlete Triad (n = 88 studies) literature. It is important to note that the prevention of under-recovery is multi-factorial, but many aspects are based around EA and CHO availability. Herein we have demonstrated that OTS and RED-S have many shared pathways, symptoms, and diagnostic complexities. Substantial attention is required to increase the knowledge and awareness of RED-S, and to enhance the diagnostic accuracy of both OTS and RED-S, to allow clinicians to more accurately exclude LEA/RED-S from OTS diagnoses.

A Qualitative Exploration of Sport and Social Pressures on Elite Athletes in Relation to Disordered Eating

Introduction: Athletes are at increased risk of disordered eating compared to non-athletes. Inspired by previous investigation into quantitative work on an etiological model of disordered eating in athletes, the current study aimed to explore a problematic aspect of the model: athletes' lived experiences of social and sport pressures in relation to the onset of disordered eating and differing eating behaviors. Methods: Nine (N = 9) male and female athletes representing a range of endurance sports took part in semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was utilized. Analysis: Analysis revealed two main themes each with two corresponding subthemes (1) Conflating physical appearance and sporting ability with the subthemes of (1a) social comparison in a sporting world and (1b) societal notions of "the athlete body" and (2) Living as an athlete with the corresponding subthemes of (2a) discipline and sacrifice and (2b) the balancing act. Discussion: It is the complex interaction between societal expectations as lived out in social messages and comparisons, and sport pressures that contributes to the development of disordered eating behaviors. These findings suggest that prevention and treatment of disordered eating in athletes can be applied from those already established in non-sporting realm.

Psychosocial predictors of eating classification in female athletes: From collegiate sport to retirement

OBJECTIVE

Due to high prevalence, female athletes are considered a high-risk group for eating disorders (i.e., clinical ED = 2.0% to 19.9%; subclinical ED = 7.1% to 49.2%). Cross-sectional and longitudinal research have identified psychosocial factors that influence current and future disordered eating (e.g., appearance pressures, body satisfaction), but are limited in design (e.g., timeframe, active competitors). Quantitative evaluations of psychosocial predictors of female athletes' disordered eating in retirement are lacking.

METHOD

The current study investigated the predictive ability of psychosocial risk factors (e.g., body dissatisfaction, negative affect) from Time1, when collegiate female athletes were actively competing, to Time2, 6 years later when the women were retired (N = 194; M_age = 25.75 years [SD = 1.19]).

RESULTS

From Time1 to Time2, 23.5% of the women who were Healthy moved to the Disordered classification; 51% remained in Disordered. The full model for athletes who maintained their Disordered status correctly classified 76% of the athletes. Dietary intent, pressure to exercise and change appearance, body satisfaction, and internalization significantly predicted athletes' maintenance as Disordered.

DISCUSSION

Early intervention efforts that address appearance pressures, body image, and healthful eating when athletes are actively competing are vital to help alleviate future distress, particularly in retirement.

Dispositional optimism is associated with weight status, eating behavior, and eating disorders in a general population-based study

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to assess whether optimism is associated with body mass index (BMI), eating behavior and eating disorders (EDs) in a population-based study.

METHOD

In 2016, a total of 32,805 participants aged ≥18 years from the NutriNet-Santé cohort completed the Life Orientation Test-Revised, assessing dispositional optimism. Height and weight were self-reported. Eating behavior was assessed with the revised 21-item Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire. Risk of EDs was evaluated with the Sick-Control-One-Fat-Food Questionnaire. Linear and Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between optimism, BMI categories, eating behavior and ED risk, controlling for sociodemographic, lifestyle and depressive symptom characteristics.

RESULTS

Our sample was composed of 73.5% women, and the mean age was 55.39 ± 13.70 years. More optimistic participants were less likely to be underweight (OR = 0.82; 95% CI: 0.75, 0.89), or obese, particularly class III obese (BMI ≥40 kg/m² ) (OR = 0.69; 95% CI: 0.56, 0.84) compared with less optimistic individuals. Optimism was negatively associated with cognitive restraint (β = -.07; 95%CI: -0.08; -0.06), emotional eating (β = -.17; 95% CI: -0.19, -0.16) and uncontrolled eating (β = -.10; 95% CI: -0.11, -0.09). In addition, more optimistic participants had a lower risk of EDs (OR = 0.60; 95% CI: 0.56, 0.64).

DISCUSSION

Our findings showed that optimism was associated with weight status, eating behavior and risk of EDs in both women and men. The causal structure of the underlying observed association remains unclear and should be further investigated.

Psychological risk indicators of disordered eating in athletes

Objectives

This project examined risk factors of disordered eating in athletes by adapting and applying a theoretical model. It tested a previously proposed theoretical model and explored the utility of a newly formed model within an athletic population across gender, age, and sport type to explain disordered eating.

Design

The design was cross-sectional and the first phase in a series of longitudinal studies.

Methods

1,017 athletes completed online questionnaires related to social pressures, internalisation, body dissatisfaction, negative affect, restriction, and bulimia. Structural equation modelling was employed to analyse the fit of the measurement and structural models and to do invariance testing.

Results

The original theoretical model failed to achieve acceptable goodness of fit (χ² [70, 1017] = 1043.07; p < .0001. CFI = .55; GFI = .88; NFI = .53; RMSEA = .12 [90% CI = .111-.123]). Removal of non-significant pathways and addition of social media resulted in the model achieving a parsimonious goodness of fit (χ² [19, 1017] = 77.58; p < .0001. CFI = .96; GFI = .98; NFI = .95; RMSEA = .055 [90% CI = .043-.068]). Invariance tests revealed that the newly revised model differed across gender, age, level, competition status, and length of sport participation.

Conclusion

This study showed that the formation of disordered eating symptomology might not be associated with sport pressures experienced by athletes. It revealed that disordered eating development varies across gender, competition level, sport type, and age, which must be considered to prevent and treat disordered eating in athletes.

Systematic review of risk factors for eating psychopathology in athletes: A critique of an etiological model

OBJECTIVE

The theoretical model by Petrie and Greenleaf (2007, 2012) is an admirable attempt to collate the causal factors of disordered eating in athletes. The aims of this systematic review are (a) to provide an overview of the findings from the relevant literature, (b) to assess whether the model is supported by the existing research, (c) to evaluate the different designs, methods, and measures used to test the mediators in the model, and (d) to highlight areas for improvements and future research.

METHOD

A systematic review of four major online databases identified 37 relevant papers on risk factors of disordered eating in athletes, which were reviewed and critically compared with the theoretical model.

RESULTS

There is a lack of longitudinal research with the relevant mediators in athlete populations, which makes it difficult to determine whether the potential mediators described by Petrie and Greenleaf are causal risk factors rather than simply correlates of disordered eating for athletes. Findings for all the potential mediators are inconsistent, and the range of measures used makes it problematic to draw conclusions.

CONCLUSIONS

Future research needs to use gold standard measures and longitudinal designs in order to fully test and possibly update the model.

Teammate influences and relationship quality are associated with eating and exercise psychopathology in athletes

Teammates have a powerful influence on athletes' eating attitudes/behaviours, but less is known about the relative importance of teammate influence mechanisms. The primary aim of this study was to explore the relationships and predictive associations between teammate influences (e.g., modelling of teammates' disordered eating; supportive teammate friendships) and athletes' eating and exercise attitudes and behaviours. A further aim was to identify the presence of any gender differences. Athletes (N = 1172, mean age 24 years, n = 727 female) completed a survey exploring multiple teammate influences, eating and exercise attitudes and behaviours, and psychological wellbeing (anxiety, depression, self-esteem). Many significant relationships were identified between teammate influences and eating/exercise psychopathology. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that a perceived pressure from teammates to lose weight/change shape and perceptions that teammates engaged in disordered eating practices were the best predictors of higher eating and exercise psychopathology. Supportive teammate friendships was the best predictor of lower eating psychopathology and higher levels of healthy exercise behaviours. Encouragement/discouragement to eat healthily were also significant predictors. Teammate influences explained more variance in exercise than eating psychopathology, and total variance explained by teammates was higher for females compared to males. Teammates may have a positive and negative influence on the eating and exercise attitudes/behaviours of athletes; however, gender differences are apparent. Understanding teammate influences on the eating and exercise practices of athletes is important for the development of team-based interventions to reduce or prevent disordered eating and exercise. Future research should explore these relationships longitudinally, considering the role of moderating factors (e.g., sport type, stage of season).

The Functionality Appreciation Scale (FAS): Development and psychometric evaluation in U.S. community women and men

Body functionality has been identified as an important dimension of body image that has the potential to be useful in the prevention and treatment of negative body image and in the enhancement of positive body image. Specifically, cultivating appreciation of body functionality may offset appearance concerns. However, a scale assessing this construct has yet to be developed. Therefore, we developed the Functionality Appreciation Scale (FAS) and examined its psychometric properties among three online community samples totalling 1042 women and men (ns=490 and 552, respectively). Exploratory factor analyses revealed a unidimensional structure with seven items. Confirmatory factor analysis upheld its unidimensionality and invariance across gender. The internal consistency, test-retest reliability, criterion-related, and construct (convergent, discriminant, incremental) validity of its scores were upheld. The FAS is a psychometrically sound measure that is unique from existing positive body image measures. Scholars will find the FAS applicable within research and clinical settings.

A Tale of Two Runners: A Case Report of Athletes' Experiences with Eating Disorders in College

Athletes are at higher risk than the general population for eating disorders, and risk is heightened for athletes in thin-build sports, including track. Collegiate athletes are particularly vulnerable to disordered eating when the transition from home to the college environment adds to the stress of performance pressures and the high demands of the sport environment. Male and female athletes who develop eating disorders share some common characteristics, yet their experiences can be quite different, in part as a consequence of their sex and how eating disorders develop, and are recognized, acknowledged, and treated, within the culture of sports. This case report describes the experiences of two track athletes, one male and one female, who were recruited to the same Division 1 collegiate track program. Both were elite athletes, freshmen in the same year, experiencing the same urban college environment, and experiencing an eating disorder characterized by restrictive eating, significant weight loss, injury, and compromised performance in sport. Both received treatment from a multidisciplinary team of professionals. Both athletes achieved weight restoration, recovery from the disorder, and success in their sport. In spite of the similarities, striking differences were apparent in clinical presentation, predisposing features, onset of symptoms, entry points to treatment, interventions received, and clinical courses through treatment that depict sex differences in how eating disorders present in athletes and are addressed in the sport environment. Findings endorse the need for research and inform prevention strategies, risk assessment, and intervention approaches for nutrition and sports medicine professionals and collegiate athletic departments.

Personality and psychological correlates of eating disorder symptoms among male collegiate athletes

Despite a proliferation of research on disordered eating in female athletes, few studies have included male athletes. The purpose of this study was to determine which of five personality and psychological variables of interest (i.e., perfectionism, self-esteem, optimism, reasons for exercise, and appearance orientation) best predicted eating disorder status (i.e., symptomatic or asymptomatic) in male athletes. Two hundred three male athletes (Mage=20.29, SD=1.64) from three National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I institutions participated. More athletes were asymptomatic (80.8%) than symptomatic (19.2%). None of the variables significantly predicted symptomatic status. These findings contrast the literature on predictors of disordered eating symptomatology among female athletes, and suggest the need for further research to identify other potential predictors of eating disturbance among male athletes.

Susceptibility to eating disorders among collegiate female student-athletes

CONTEXT

Research has suggested that the prevalence of young women with eating disorders (EDs) is increasing, but determining the exact prevalence of EDs within the female student-athlete (FS-A) population is difficult. Looking at certain traits may help us to identify their level of susceptibility to developing an ED.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the susceptibility of FS-As to EDs in relation to self-concept, including self-esteem and body image.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Athletic training and health centers at National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I, II, and III institutions via e-mail questionnaire correspondence.

PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS

A total of 439 FS-As from 17 participating institutions completed the questionnaires. The sample was primarily white (83.1%) and underclass (61.8%).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

The questionnaire consisted of 4 parts: 3 subscales of the Eating Disorder Inventory-2, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Body Cathexis Scale, and demographic items.

RESULTS

A total of 6.8% of FS-As were susceptible to anorexia and 1.8% were susceptible to bulimia. The majority of FS-As (61%) reported normal self-esteem levels, whereas 29.4% had high self-esteem. Overall, 64.5% were satisfied and 23% were very satisfied with their body image.

CONCLUSIONS

These results are generally positive in that they suggest FS-As have high levels of self-concept and are at low risk to develop EDs. However, these findings do not mean that all concerns should be dismissed. Although more than 90% of the respondents were not susceptible to an ED, there are still FS-As who may be. Athletic departments should evaluate their FS-As' levels of self-concept so that their susceptibility to EDs can be addressed. The emotional aspect of health care should be included in providing holistic care for student-athletes. Athletic trainers often are the primary health care providers for FS-As, so they should be made aware of this concern.

Personality factors and eating disorders: self-uncertainty

The International Personality Disorder Examination interview (IPDE) was used to examine common features of personality amongst eating disorder (ED) patients. Female inpatients (N=155), aged 18 to 45, BMI<30 kg/m(2), were interviewed. Items present in ≥ 25% of patients were analysed by factor analysis. Five factors emerged - 'interpersonal anxiety', 'instability', 'self-uncertainty', 'obsessionality' and 'perfectionism' accounting for 62% of the variance. Patients with BMI, <18.5 kg/m(2) had significantly greater 'interpersonal anxiety' factor scores. Patients who purged had higher 'interpersonal anxiety', 'instability', and 'perfectionism' factor scores. Differences between ED diagnostic groups were accounted for by body weight and purging. Increasing age was weakly associated with improvement in 'self-uncertainty' and 'instability' scores. This study separates obsessionality and perfectionism, possibly reflecting ED patients' 'need for control', and introduces a new factor 'self-uncertainty' which reflects their poor self-concept. The contribution of this factor structure to development and duration of illness should be studied.

Individual and relational risk factors for the development of eating disorders in adolescent aesthetic athletes and general adolescents

This study compared potential risk and protective factors, levels of disordered eating (DE), and their relationship among young aesthetic athletes (elite and non-elite) and controls (N = 725; 62.5 % females; mean age = 15.3, SD = 2.1). The participants completed self-report measures (McKnight Risk Factor Survey-IV, Contour Drawing Rating Scale and Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire). Female elite athletes showed a greater risk of developing eating disorders than non-elite athletes and controls, with no difference between the three groups of males. Multiple group analyses revealed important differences in DE predictors. Although social pressure is the strongest DE predictor in non-elite athletes and controls, in elite athletes, the strongest DE predictor is body image dissatisfaction. Parental influences, rather than self-esteem, are predictors of DE in elite athletes, unlike the other two groups. These results show that the risk and protective factors involved in the development of DE are not universally valid. The results highlight the importance of studying specific characteristics associated with DE in aesthetic athletes. Some implications for ED risk assessment and prevention are discussed.

Eating disorder risk and the role of clothing in collegiate cheerleaders' body images

CONTEXT

With increased media coverage and competitive opportunities, cheerleaders may be facing an increase in eating disorder (ED) prevalence linked to clothing-related body image (BI).

OBJECTIVE

To examine ED risk prevalence, pathogenic weight control behaviors, and variation in clothing-specific BI across position and academic status among collegiate cheerleaders.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and II institutions.

PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS

Female collegiate cheerleaders (n = 136, age = 20.4 ± 1.3 years, height = 160.2 ± 8.1 cm, weight = 57.2 ± 8.3 kg).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Participants self-reported height, weight, and desired weight and completed the Eating Attitudes Test. Body image perceptions in 3 clothing types (daily clothing, midriff uniform, full uniform) were assessed using sexbased silhouettes (body mass index = 18.3 kg/m(2) for silhouette 1, 23.1 kg/m(2) for silhouette 4).

RESULTS

The ED risk for cheerleaders was estimated at 33.1%. However, when body mass index was controlled using backward stepwise logistic regression, flyers had greater odds (odds ratio = 4.4, 95% confidence interval = 1.5, 13.2, P = .008) of being at risk compared with bases, but no difference was noted between the base and back-spot positions (odds ratio = 1.9, 95% confidence interval= 0.5, 6.6, P = .333). A main effect of BI perceptions was seen (P < .001), with a significant interaction by clothing type (F(2,133) = 22.5, P < .001, η(2) = 0.14). Cheerleaders desired to be smaller than their perceived BIs for each clothing type, with the largest difference for midriff uniform (2.6 ± 0.8 versus 3.7 ± 0.9), followed by full uniform (2.7 ± 0.8 versus 3.5 ± 0.9) and daily clothing (2.8 ± 0.8 versus 3.5 ± 0.9).

CONCLUSIONS

Cheerleaders, especially flyers, appear to be at risk for EDs, with greatest BI dissatisfaction when wearing their most revealing uniforms (ie, midriffs). Universities, colleges, and the national governing bodies of these squads need to focus on preventing eating disorders and BI dissatisfaction and promoting self-esteem.

Orthorexia nervosa: a frequent eating disordered behavior in athletes

Striving for enhancing athletic performance, many sportsmen undergo rigid dietary habits, which could lead to eating disorders (EDs) or Orthorexia Nervosa (ON), a psychopathological condition characterized by the obsession for high quality food. The aim of the study was to examine the occurrence of ON in athletes and to verify the relationship between ON and EDs. Five-hundred-seventy-seven athletes and 217 matched controls were administered the following tests: ORTO-15, Eating Attitude Test 26 (EAT-26), Body Uneasiness Test (BUT) and Yale-Brown-Cornell Eating Disorder Scale (YBC-EDS). High positivity to ORTO-15 (28%) and EAT-26 (14%) emerged in athletes, whereas a high rate of BUT positivity was evident among controls (21%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that independent predictors of ON are previous dieting, age, positivity to YBC-EDS, positivity to EAT-26, competition level, and number of YBC-EDS preoccupations and rituals. Sharing many features with both EDs and Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum, ON represents a crossroad between these pathologic conditions and might compromise the health state of an athlete. Therefore, coaches should consider important to detect symptoms of EDs and ON in their athletes.

Gender and racial/ethnic differences in body image development among college students

In the present study we used longitudinal methods to examine body image development during the early part of college. Students (N=390; 54% female) who identified as African American (32%), Latino/a American (27%), and European American (41%) completed surveys during their first, second, and third semesters at college. There were overall gender and racial/ethnic differences in all three aspects of body image, and both stability and change in body image development. Female students' appearance evaluation became more positive, whereas male students' appearance evaluation showed no significant change. Individuals' body areas satisfaction increased over time, but remained stable when controlling for BMI. Appearance orientation did not change, and there were no racial/ethnic differences in body image development. Experiences in the college environment may play a role in these trends.

Eating disorder symptomatology: prevalence among Latino college freshmen students

This study investigated the prevalence of eating disorder symptoms in first-year students at the University of Puerto Rico. Responses to the Bulimia Test Revised (BULIT-R), the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were analyzed in a sample of 2,163 freshman students. The percentage of students at or above the clinical cut-off points was 3.24% for the BULIT-R and 9.59% for the EAT-26, and 1.88% met the cut-off point for both instruments. The 36.44% of the students who screen positive on eating disorders measures scored 18 or more on the BDI and 5.93% on this group presented high suicidal risk based on their responses to BDI items assessing suicidal thoughts. Eating disorder symptoms occur frequently in Puerto Rican college students, and prevention, detection, and treatment efforts are needed.