Abstract
Injury risk is multifactorial including non-modifiable and modifiable factors such as nutrition and mental health. The purpose of this study was to estimate eating disorder risk and body image (BI) dissatisfaction among Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) cadets. A total of 102 (male: n = 75, female: n = 27; age: 20 ± 2 years) ROTC cadets self-reported height, current and ideal weight, and completed the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) and self-perceived BI current and perceived sex-specific figural stimuli. The overall eating disorder risk for ROTC cadets was 32.4%. No significant differences were found when comparing sex, ethnicity, or military branch. Overall risk of pathogenic behaviors included 11.8% who reported binge eating; 8.8% who used laxatives, diuretics, or diet pills; 8.8% who exercised for >60 min to control their weight; and 8.8% who lost 9.1 kg or more within the last 6 months. We identified significant interactions (p ≤ 0.01) between sex of the solider, overall perceptions of male and female soldiers, and BI self-perceptions. The ROTC cadets in this study displayed eating disorder risk and BI dissatisfaction, which is concerning for tactical readiness, long-term behavioral health issues, and injury from pathogenic behaviors. Education and quality healthcare are necessary to mitigate the increased risk of eating and BI dissatisfaction within this population.
Highlights
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) [1] has categorized eight conditions related to feeding and eating disorder (FED), as well as body dysmorphic disorder, as diagnosable mental health disorders
We found Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) cadets were at risk for eating disorder and pathogenic behaviors and experienced body image (BI) dissatisfaction
Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets must balance the demand of physical training sessions and traditional academic course work with the addition of military-focused classes, much like a student athlete must find harmony between athletic responsibility and academic coursework
Summary
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) [1] has categorized eight conditions related to feeding and eating disorder (FED), as well as body dysmorphic disorder, as diagnosable mental health disorders. These mental health disorders include pica, rumination disorder, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), binge-eating disorder, other specified FEDs based on frequency or duration, and other unspecified. When a person does not meet the frequency and duration criteria for the eight previously mentioned conditions, bu still experiences behaviors and attitudes of maladaptive feeding and weight management, that is considered term disordered eating [2]. Public Health 2020, 17, 8137; doi:10.3390/ijerph17218137 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
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