BODY IMAGE, DISORDERED EATING, OBLIGATORY EXERCISE AND BODY COMPOSITION AMONG WOMEN FITNESS INSTRUCTORS

Abstract

1472 This study examined factors associated with body image, eating disturbances and obligatory exercise in 148 women fitness instructors (mean age=35.0,SD=7.9). Participants completed a questionnaire of demographic information and exercise habits, the Drive for Thinness(DT), Bulimia(B) and Body Dissatisfaction(BD) subscales of the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI-2)(Garner & Olmsted, 1984), the Figure Rating Scale (Stunkare et al., 1983), and the Obligatory Exercise Questionnaire (OEQ)(Pasman & Thompson, 1984). Percent body fat was determined via 3-site skinfold assessment. Of the sample, 64% selected an ideal body silhouette thinner than their current silhouette, 44% were classified as obligatory exercisers, and 6.8% scored above the DT cutoff score used to screen for eating disorders. Mean body fat was 20.5%. Multiple regression analyses were conducted for each psychological variable and DT was found to be the single best predictor for B(R2=.18), BD(R2=.40), OEQ score(R2=.16), and control of food intake (R2=.20). Body Mass Index and percent body fat were not significant predictors for DT, B, BD, OEQ, Ideal Figure Rating or control of food intake. In summary, despite having a mean body fat lower than age matched norms, the BD scores of these instructors were not significantly different from scores reported for college age women and women athletes. However, DT and OEQ scores were significantly lower when compared to scores reported from women athletes who are considered at-risk for poor body image, disordered eating and/or excessive exercise.