DIETARY INTAKES AND BEHAVIORS OF FEMALE COLLEGIATE TRACK AND CROSS-COUNTRY ATHLETES

Abstract

Female athletes may be at risk for nutrient deficiencies due to dietary restriction and disordered eating behaviors associated with the desire to lose weight. Purpose: The objectives of this study were: 1) to determine the prevalence of disordered eating and 2) to describe desired weight change, diet-related behaviors, and nutrient intakes in female collegiate track and cross-country athletes. Methods: Female track and cross-country athletes (n = 42) from a NCAA Division I university participated in this study. An anonymous, written questionnaire was used to assess disordered eating (Questionnaire for Eating Disorder Diagnosis, QEDD), demographic characteristics, and additional diet-related behaviors. Thirty-seven athletes also completed a food frequency questionnaire (Youth Assessment Questionnaire, YAQ). The Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) were used as the criteria for determination of adequate intakes. The study was approved by the MU IRB. Descriptive statistics included means and frequencies for continuous and categorical variables, respectively. Logistic regression was used to determine if the desire to lose weight predicted restrictive eating behaviors. Results: Two athletes were identified as having bulimia nervosa. An additional seven athletes were determined to be non-eating disordered but symptomatic with the most frequent subthreshold types being binge eating disorder and non-bingeing bulimia. Seventy-six percent of the athletes reported wanting to lose weight even though the average BMI was within the normal range (22.2 ± 0.5). BMI did not predict the desire to lose weight. On average, women wanted to lose 6 pounds which was equivalent to a BMI of 21.1 ± 0.5. Athletes who reported a desire to lose weight were twice as likely to also report restricting their fat intake in order to avoid weight gain. Significant proportions of the women consumed inadequate Ca (41%), Fe (30%), Mg(46%), and folate (22%) although average intakes exceeded the DRIs. Conclusion: Female athletes appear to be at an increased risk for disordered eating and nutrient deficiencies as a result of their desire to lose weight. Supported by the Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Missouri-Columbia