Disordered eating among adolescent female swimmers: Dietary, biochemical, and body composition factors

Abstract

ObjectiveTo verify associations among body composition, biochemical parameters, and food intake in adolescent female swimmers with and without disordered eating (DE). MethodsSeventy-seven athletes 11 to 19 y old from clubs in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil were studied. DE was assessed through three questionnaires (Eating Attitudes Test-26; Bulimic Investigatory Test, Edinburgh; and Body Shape Questionnaire), body composition by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, and food intake by a 3-d diet record. Biochemical parameters related to iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12 were analyzed. The Fisher exact test, Mann–Whitney test, and the Spearman coefficient were calculated. ResultsDE was found in 44.2% of the sample. DE-positive compared with DE-negative athletes presented greater body fat percentage (11–14 y: 27.5% versus 23.4%, P = 0.023; 15–19 y: 30.2% versus 24.1%, P = 0.006) and fat mass (11–14 y: 13.8 versus 10.3 kg, P = 0.010; 15–19 y: 17.0 versus 13.2 kg, P = 0.027). In relation to food intake, DE-positive athletes presented lower protein consumption in the 11- to 14-y-old group and lower calcium intake adequacy in the 15- to 19-y-old group. Most other dietary parameters showed a low adequacy of consumption, with no difference between athletes with and without DE. Four DE-positive athletes presented anemia or iron deficiency. ConclusionDE-positive compared with DE-negative athletes presented a higher percentage of body fat and fat mass, lower protein consumption in the 11- to 14-y-old group, and lower calcium intake adequacy in the 15- to 19-y-old group. Greater attention should be given to the nutritional state of these athletes, considering the number of adolescents with anemia and an inadequate dietary intake.