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

Abstract

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.