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Slagel N, Kage K, Wichern S. Social media behaviors and body type ideals predict weight loss and food tracking behaviors among recreational climbers. Front Sports Act Living 2024; 6:1408209. [PMID: 38939753 PMCID: PMC11208479 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2024.1408209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Elite and recreational climbers may be at risk for disordered eating, low energy availability (LEA), and increased injury as a result. Social media use among athlete and non-athletes can lead to body image disturbances resulting in unhealthy weight loss practices exacerbating LEA and injury risk. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine relationships between social comparative behaviors on social media, body type ideals and outcomes, and health behaviors among adult recreational climbers. Methods Participants (n = 324) were adult recreational climbers from the U.S. (29.30 ± 9.99 years old and 50% female). Participants answered a 66-item questionnaire comprised of demographics, climbing characteristics, social media behaviors, body type ideals, training and nutrition-seeking behaviors, and weight and food tracking behaviors. Results Most participants (78.7%) indicated strength-to-weight ratio was important for climbing performance. Many participants perceived they could perform better at rock climbing if their body proportions were different (59.3%). These body type ideals were found to be significant predictors of performing weight loss and food-tracking behaviors (all p < 0.001). Higher amounts of social comparative behaviors on social media and social physique anxiety independently and significantly predicted attempting weight loss to improve climbing ability (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001 respectively). Those who followed climbing influencers, used Instagram frequently for training and nutrition information, perceived they could perform better at rock climbing if their body proportions were different, or were female and college-aged had significantly higher mean social comparative behavior scores (all p < 0.01). Discussion This study expands on prior work with elite climbers by providing a possible explanation for how climbing-related body type ideals and certain social media behaviors can perpetuate negative body image and compensatory behaviors among a general climbing population. Because unhealthy weight management behaviors can lead to injury and health disturbances, broad education programming and social media campaigns should be developed to shift body ideals and nutrition behaviors among recreational climbers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Slagel
- Department of Kinesiology, Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, United States
| | - Katie Kage
- Department of Nutrition, Kinesiology and Health, University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, MO, United States
| | - Sarah Wichern
- Department of Kinesiology, Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, United States
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Fatt SJ, George E, Hay P, Jeacocke N, Day S, Mitchison D. A systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative research investigating disordered eating and help-seeking in elite athletes. Int J Eat Disord 2024. [PMID: 38619220 DOI: 10.1002/eat.24205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Elite athletes are at elevated risk for disordered eating and eating disorders; however, little is known about risk and maintaining factors, or barriers and facilitators of help-seeking in this cohort. This systematic review synthesized qualitative findings regarding possible risk and maintaining factors for disordered eating, as well as barriers to and facilitators of help-seeking in elite athletes. METHOD We conducted a search for qualitative studies that included experiences with body image concerns or disordered eating in elite athletes. A systematic search of CINAHL, PsychINFO, MEDLINE, and Scopus databases identified 828 articles, with 87 retained after title and abstract screening, and 38 included in the review. Quality appraisal was conducted using the checklist for appraising qualitative research (CASP). Data were extracted from each article, including demographic information (e.g., biological sex, age, sport type, level of competition, current, or former athlete) and the text under the "results" or "findings" section. Meta-themes were identified using inductive thematic meta-synthesis. RESULTS The extracted data indicated that most studies sampled female athletes from the United States and UK. Eight meta-themes were identified: (1) the power imbalance; (2) hyperfocus on body, food, and exercise; (3) rigidity; (4) the athlete's balance; (5) the athlete identity; (6) overvaluation and oversimplification; (7) shame, fear, and stigma; and (8) knowledge, education, and self-identification. DISCUSSION These findings highlighted gaps in the demographic representation of specific groups in this research (e.g., males, para-athletes, and ethnic diversity) and propose hypotheses of how sport pressure might contribute to athletes' experiences with disordered eating. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE Disordered eating and body image concerns are prevalent and can have debilitating impacts for elite athletes; however, help-seeking is rare for this population. It remains unclear what factors contribute to disordered eating and/or inhibit help-seeking among elite athletes versus the general population. Understanding athletes' perspectives will inform the modification of prevention and treatment strategies to address athlete-specific factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott J Fatt
- Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Emma George
- Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
- School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Phillipa Hay
- Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
- Mental Health Services, SWSLHD, Camden and Campbelltown Hospital, Campbelltown, Australia
| | - Nikki Jeacocke
- AIS Performance, Australian Sports Commission, Canberra, Australia
| | - Sinead Day
- Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Deborah Mitchison
- Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
- Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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Fiedler R, Heidari J, Birnkraut T, Kellmann M. Digital media and mental health in adolescent athletes. PSYCHOLOGY OF SPORT AND EXERCISE 2023; 67:102421. [PMID: 37665874 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2023.102421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Although digital media are increasingly important for adolescent athletes, few studies explore their influence on mental health in this population. This study aimed to examine this relationship in 591 German adolescent athletes (aged 12-19 years) from 42 different sports. Longer daily social media usage was connected to increased negative affect and dysfunctional eating patterns. Similar results were found for cognitive-behavioral symptoms of excessive media usage and mental health. Structural equation modeling revealed these relationships were mediated by social comparison and quality of sleep. Higher athletic performance level was related to increased social comparison, but not to quality of sleep, negative affect, and dysfunctional eating. The negative relationship between excessive media usage and sleep was stronger in competitive and elite than in recreational athletes. Results imply digital media should receive attention when aiming to improve mental health in athletes. Relevant targets for future intervention could be social comparison and sleep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radha Fiedler
- Faculty of Sport Science, Department of Sport Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Gesundheitscampus-Nord 10, 44801, Bochum, Germany.
| | - Jahan Heidari
- Faculty of Sport Science, Department of Sport Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Gesundheitscampus-Nord 10, 44801, Bochum, Germany.
| | - Tim Birnkraut
- Faculty of Sport Science, Department of Sport Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Gesundheitscampus-Nord 10, 44801, Bochum, Germany.
| | - Michael Kellmann
- Faculty of Sport Science, Department of Sport Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Gesundheitscampus-Nord 10, 44801, Bochum, Germany; School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland, Blair Drive, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.
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Hamstra-Wright KL, Bliven KCH, Coumbe-Lilley JE, Djelovic E, Patel J. The Relationship Between Eating Disorders, Disordered Eating, and Injury in Athletes: A Critically Appraised Topic. J Sport Rehabil 2023; 32:474-481. [PMID: 37030667 DOI: 10.1123/jsr.2022-0370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/10/2023]
Abstract
CLINICAL SCENARIO Eating disorders (EDs) and disordered eating (DE) result in numerous physical and psychological complications for female and male athletes. Besides bone-related injury, little research exists investigating what injuries EDs and/or DE contribute to. CLINICAL QUESTION Are EDs and/or DE a risk factor for injury incidence in athletes? SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS We searched for prospective studies assessing EDs or DE as a risk factor for injury in female or male athletes high school age and older. Our search returned 5 studies. One study found Eds, or DE were not a risk for any type of injury in female cross-country and track-and-field athletes. Two studies found a possible relationship between EDs or DE, as one contributing factor of others, in the incidence of bone stress injuries (BSIs) in female athletes who compete in various sports. One study found female, but not male, cross-country and track-and-field athletes with a history of EDs were more at risk for stress fractures than those without a history. One study found Eds, or DE were not a risk for BSI in female runners and triathletes. CLINICAL BOTTOM LINE Large and important gaps in the literature exist investigating injuries related to EDs or DE outside of BSIs. There is low-moderate evidence that EDs and/or DE are either a sole, or contributing, risk factor for BSIs in female athletes. STRENGTH OF RECOMMENDATION Grade B evidence exists to support the idea that EDs and/or DE are a risk factor for a specific type of injury (BSI) in female athletes only.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karrie L Hamstra-Wright
- Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition, Applied Sport Psychology and Injury Research and Education (ASPIRE) Lab, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL,USA
| | - Kellie C Huxel Bliven
- Department of Interdisciplinary Health Studies, Arizona School of Health Sciences, A.T. Still University, Mesa, AZ,USA
| | - John E Coumbe-Lilley
- Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition, Applied Sport Psychology and Injury Research and Education (ASPIRE) Lab, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL,USA
| | - Eddin Djelovic
- Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition, Applied Sport Psychology and Injury Research and Education (ASPIRE) Lab, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL,USA
| | - Jahnvi Patel
- Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition, Applied Sport Psychology and Injury Research and Education (ASPIRE) Lab, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL,USA
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Kim BR, Mackert M. Social media use and binge eating: An integrative review. Public Health Nurs 2022; 39:1134-1141. [PMID: 35294990 DOI: 10.1111/phn.13069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Despite binge eating being important to public health, no recent reviews have been conducted to produce a comprehensive synthesis of current literature on the relationship between social media use and binge eating. The aims of this review were: (1) to standardize the measurement of social media use in recent research, (2) to identify eating types that include binge-eating concepts, and (3) to identify the relationships between social media use and binge eating. This is an integrative review of studies conducted from 2016 to 2021 on binge eating and social media use. Searches were conducted in PubMed, PsycInfo, and Web of Science; eight studies were included in this integrative review. Included studies found direct or indirect effects of social media use on binge eating. The more participants use social media, the more likely they are to have increased appetite or intention to eat, which can lead to binge eating. The recent binge-eating studies indicated a significant relationship between social media use and binge eating. Interventions for binge eating should be developed with an understanding of individuals' social media use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Ra Kim
- School of Nursing, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Michael Mackert
- Center for Health Communication, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
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Pallotto IK, Sockol LE, Stutts LA. General and sport-specific weight pressures as risk factors for body dissatisfaction and disordered eating among female collegiate athletes. Body Image 2022; 40:340-350. [PMID: 35144072 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2022.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Female collegiate athletes are a high-risk group for disordered eating. Petrie and Greenleaf's (2007) sociocultural model proposes that both general and sport-related weight pressures lead athletes to internalize unrealistic body ideals, ultimately resulting in body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. In this study, we used structural equation modeling to assess general and sport-specific weight pressures in relation to thin- and muscular-ideal internalization, body dissatisfaction, and disordered eating among 212 female Division I college athletes. General weight pressures from parents, peers, and the media were associated with disordered eating indirectly via thin- and muscular-ideal internalization. In contrast, sport-specific weight pressures were not associated with disordered eating in the full model. After controlling for weight pressures and body ideal internalization, body dissatisfaction was also not associated with disordered eating. These findings suggest that female athletes are vulnerable to weight- and appearance-related pressures from outside the sport context and that the mechanisms underlying the development of disordered eating may differ between athletes and non-athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella K Pallotto
- Davidson College, USA; Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
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Kraemer WJ, Nitka M. The Challenge of Managing Stress Versus Distress. Strength Cond J 2021. [DOI: 10.1519/ssc.0000000000000645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Stoyel H, Stride C, Shanmuganathan-Felton V, Serpell L. Understanding risk factors for disordered eating symptomatology in athletes: A prospective study. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0257577. [PMID: 34559831 PMCID: PMC8462695 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Disordered eating and eating disorders have huge impact on athletic health and performance. Understanding risk factors for disordered eating development is paramount to protecting the health and performance of these athletes. This project tested a model longitudinally to test whether body dissatisfaction (mediated by negative affect) and societal pressures (mediated by internalisation) predicted bulimic symptomatology at 1 year. The study recruited 1017 male and female athletes in a range of sports at three time points over a year. Cross-lag meditation modelling in MPLUS was utilised to test the hypothesised model. Results indicated that societal pressures mediated by general internalisation led to bulimic symptomatology and that gender and sport type do moderate the relationships. However, measurement issues indicate that scales not originally created for athletes may not reliably measure athletes' experience. This research highlights how understanding how to better assess risk factors and disordered eating related concepts in athletes is a key next step. The study is unique in its longitudinal design and in its sampling of a wide range of sports in both male and female athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Stoyel
- University College London, London, England, United Kingdom
| | - Chris Stride
- University of Sheffield, Sheffield, England, United Kingdom
| | | | - Lucy Serpell
- University College London, London, England, United Kingdom
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Stoyel H, Delderfield R, Shanmuganathan-Felton V, Stoyel A, Serpell L. A Qualitative Exploration of Sport and Social Pressures on Elite Athletes in Relation to Disordered Eating. Front Psychol 2021; 12:633490. [PMID: 33967900 PMCID: PMC8103200 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.633490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Alex Stoyel
- University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, United Kingdom
| | - Lucy Serpell
- University College London, London, United Kingdom
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