RISK OF EATING DISORDERS IN SLOVENIAN ADOLESCENT AESTHETIC ATHLETES AND THEIR NON-ATHLETIC COLLEAGUES

Abstract

Eating disorders are an emerging problem, especially adolescence is a delicate phase of life. In aesthetic athletes, sport specifics factors play an important role in developing eating disorders. The primary goal of study was to compare the prevalence of risk of eating disorders among athletes and non-athletes and secondary to observe the differences in body composition and eating habits. A total of 167 girls and 164 boys, aged 15 – 17 years completed a sick, control, onestone, fat, food (SCOFF) questionnaire for detecting risk for eating disorders. Weight and body composition were measured using a bioelectrical impedance machine. Overall, 34,1 % of athletes and 39,8 % of controls were classified as at risk for eating disorders with higher prevalence among girls and no differences between athletes and non-athletes. There were no significant differences in body composition between at-risk and no risk group, but average values shows tendency in percentage of fat and muscle mass. Skipping breakfast can increase risk of eating disorders. These finding demonstrate that not only BMI, but also specific body composition parameters should be studied in the future when identifying at-risk groups for eating disorders and skipping breakfast can lead to eating disorders which are expressed as low body mass.