Body Dissatisfaction, Anthropometric, And Dietary Intake Differences Among Female College Athletes And Non-athletes

Abstract

PURPOSE Using the popular framework employed by psychology research investigating eating disorders in female college students, the purpose of this study was to investigate prevalence of body dissatisfaction, and evaluate anthropometric indices, and dietary intake differences among female non-athletes (NA), non-lean sport athletes (A-NLS), and lean sport/aesthetic athletes (A-LS). METHODS The Eating Disorder Inventory-2 Body Dissatisfaction (BD) subscale evaluated body dissatisfaction, self-report and skinfold measurement were used to evaluate anthropometrics, 3-day dietary records evaluated dietary intake. Athletes were recruited at team meetings, NA were recruited from introductory courses from a rural eastern Kentucky university. RESULTS One hundred thirteen subjects (46 NA, 53 A-NLS, 14 A-LS) participated in the study. NA were more body dissatisfied than athletes; 63% of NA, 45% of A-NLS, and 7% of LSA had BD score >12. NA and athletes perceived natural body weight (NBW) to be 102–108% above current body weight (CBW). NA perceived higher NBW than A-NLS despite these groups having similar BD scores and anthropometric indices. Compared to NA, athletes consumed a higher % of calories from carbohydrate (52 ± 8 NA, 57 ± 9 A-NLS, 58 ± 6 A-LS; p=0.0125) and a lower % from fat (32 ± 7 NA, 28 ± 8 A-NLS, 27 ± 5 A-LS; p=0.0050). Protein intake was adequate for all groups. CONCLUSIONS Participation in regular physical activity, as an athlete, is associated with a higher degree of body satisfaction, compared to NA counterparts. Dietary strategies should ensure physically active women consume adequate distribution of calories from carbohydrate and fat, protein appears to be adequate.