Eating Disorders In Athletes Research Articles

Current trends and perspectives in the exploration of anorexia athletica-clinical challenges and therapeutic considerations.

Elite athletes are exposed to a considerable amount of physical and psychological stress throughout their entire professional life, but the exploration of the consequences of this stressful regimen on mental health is still in its early stages. Eating disorders (EDs), substance use disorders, and behavioral addictions represent only several domains that are worth more investigation in this vulnerable population, in order to find preventative and therapeutic strategies. The exploration of EDs in athletes is important because this population is very vulnerable to the impact that weight and body shape may have on their professional performances, and epidemiological studies support this concern, i.e., the prevalence of EDs in athletes is significantly higher than in the general population. This article is dedicated to the synthesis of available data regarding a specific pathology reported in elite athletes, i.e., anorexia athletica (AA), based on a narrative reviewing methodology. The information about risk factors, pathophysiology, positive and differential diagnosis, epidemiology, structured evaluation, and treatment of AA have been summarized and future research directions have been highlighted. While tentative diagnostic criteria for AA and a self-administered questionnaire exist, its pathophysiology is still insufficiently explored, and the treatment is not based on good-quality trials. According to the retrieved data, more research targeting the physical and mental health of elite athletes, especially those practicing esthetic sports, is needed, in order to implement adequate screening and early intervention programs. Future studies targeting various sub-populations of elite athletes, i.e., esthetic vs. non-esthetic sports, individuals presenting a history of ED vs. those without such a history, and those practicing individual sports vs. team sports are needed to reach the objective of improving the quality of life in this population.

The relationship between disordered eating behaviors and injury rates in adolescent athletes.

To explore the relationship between disordered eating (DE) and significant sport injury in adolescent athletes. Responses to one item of the Disordered Eating Screen for Athletes and the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) items, administered to n=308 adolescent athletes, were analyzed with data on injury. Nonparametric statistics and multiple regression analysis were used to examine differences in DE rates amongst known injured adolescent athletes. The EAT-26 scores of injured females, median score of 9, were significantly higher than all other groupings with H(3)=17.26 p < .001, η2 =.047. Using regression analyses, injury significantly predicted a rise in EAT-26 score by five points in females, p=.01, R2 =.052. This evidence suggests a relationship between adolescent female sport injury and DE, but no relationship between adolescent male sport injury and DE. These results demonstrate a need to screen for DE in athletes. Given a positive screen, athletes should be educated on the risks associated with relative energy deficiency and potentially referred to a practitioner with knowledge of the associated complications.

Examining Eating Attitudes and Behaviors in Collegiate Athletes, the Association Between Orthorexia Nervosa and Eating Disorders

Purpose: Orthorexia nervosa (Orthorexia) is an eating attitude and behavior associated with a fixation on healthy eating, while eating disorders (EDs) are clinically diagnosed psychiatric disorders associated with marked disturbances in eating that may cause impairment to psychosocial and physical health. The purpose of this study was to examine risk for Orthorexia and EDs in student-athletes across sex and sport type and determine the association between the two.Methods: Student-athletes (n = 1,090; age: 19.6 ± 1.4 years; females = 756; males = 334) completed a survey including demographics, the ORTO-15 test (<40 and <35 threshold values), the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26; >20 score), and additional questions about pathogenic behaviors to screen for EDs.Results: Using a <40 threshold value for the ORTO-15, 67.9% were at risk for Orthorexia, a more restrictive threshold value of <35 determined 17.7% prevalence across student-athletes with significant differences across sex [ <40: χ = 4.914, p = 0.027; <35: χ = 5.923, p = 0.015). Overall, ED risk (EAT-26 and/or pathogenic behavior use) resulted in a 20.9% prevalence, with significant differences across sex (χ2 = 11.360, p < 0.001) and sport-type category (χ2 = 10.312, p = 0.035). Multiple logistic regressions indicated a significant association between EAT-26 subscales scores and Orthorexia, and between Orthorexia positivity, ORTO-15 scores, and risk for EDs.Conclusions: Risk for Orthorexia and ED is present in collegiate student-athletes. While healthy and balanced eating is important, obsessive healthy eating fixations may increase the risk for EDs in athletes. More education and awareness are warranted to minimize the risk for Orthorexia and EDs in student-athletes.

The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC) position statement on disordered eating in high performance sport

Identification, evaluation and management of disordered eating (DE) is complex. DE exists along the spectrum from optimised nutrition through to clinical eating disorders (EDs). Individual athletes can move back and...

Adapting a Technology-Based Eating Disorder Model for Athletes

Eating disorders (EDs) are common amongst athletes, yet few receive treatment. Given that athletes have a unique set of risk factors for eating disorders and are faced with additional barriers to treatment, new models outside of face-to-face treatment are necessary to reach the population and provide more affordable, tailored, evidence-based care. One solution is to use digital mental health programs to provide primary or supplemental therapy. Digital programs can provide accessibility and privacy, and recent advancements allow for more personalized online experiences. However, there have been no studies to date that integrate technology-based tools to address the especially high prevalence rates of EDs in athletes. This paper describes how an integrated model that includes online screening linked to guided self-help programs, all adapted specifically for athletes, can be used to provide prevention and intervention of EDs in athletes.

Insatisfação corporal de adolescentes atletas e não atletas de ginástica artística

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/1980-0037.2016v18n1p82 The evaluation of psychological factors can help preventing eating disorders in athletes. This study aimed to verify possible links between body dissatisfaction and media influence, perfectionism, mood and risk behavior for eating disorders and to compare the study variables among artistic gymnastics elite and non-elite athletes and non-athletes. Participants were 413 adolescents of both sexes (elite and non-elite athletes and non-athletes), aged 10-18 years (mean age 12.86 ± 1.80). BSQ, EAT-26, SATAQ-3, MPS and BRUMS were applied to evaluate body dissatisfaction, risk behavior for eating disorders, media influence, perfectionism and mood, respectively. Anthropometric data were collected to estimate body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage (%BF). Descriptive statistical, comparative and correlational analyses were held. Only EAT-26 influenced BSQ in the three groups. In non-athletes, BMI, BRUMS and SATAQ-3 added explanation to the model. For non-elite athletes, %BF, media influence and mood were also predictors of body dissatisfaction. Elite athletes had lower BMI and %BF than the others. Non-athletes had lower perfectionism scores while non-elite athletes athletes had lower mood scores. It could be concluded that the risk behavior for eating disorders is the factor most strongly related to body dissatisfaction among elite and non-elite athletes and non-athletes.

Reflections on athletes and eating disorders

ObjectivesThe purposes of this paper were to offer reflections, thoughts, and observations on the burgeoning research regarding eating disorders in athletes over the past 25 years, to comment on the findings and clinical implications of the studies contained in this special issue, and to provide suggestions for future research. ResultsDisordered eating and eating disorders are complex, multidimensional, and multiply determined, and can affect the health and performance of athletes in both genders and most sports. Although coaches and teammates can be significant sources of weight and body image pressure, they can also play a positive role in identification and prevention. ConclusionsFurther research is needed in several areas. These include a broader focus that includes athletes believed to be at less risk, most notably males and non-lean sport athletes, and ironically younger athletes, who may be at greatest risk. We also need more research related to treatment of athletes with eating disorders and especially how we might better motivate them for recovery.

Peer Program Targets Eating Disorders in Athletes

Peer Program Targets Eating Disorders in Athletes

Disordered Eating Assessment for College Student-Athletes

Sports have received widespread attention for the risk of disordered eating, but prevalence rates among athletes have varied from one to 62 percent across studies (Beals, 2004). One explanation for this discrepancy has been the tendency for previous studies to select “at-risk” sports for examination. The current study extends prior inquiry by expanding the sample to the entire student-athlete group at Ohio State University. Approximately 800 varsity student-athletes at this large Division I university completed the Questionnaire for Eating Disorder Diagnosis (Q-EDD; Mintz, O’Halloran, Mulholland, &amp; Schneider, 1997) in 2001 and 2002, allowing gender and type of sport comparisons. The purposes of the study were to identify at-risk athletes as part of a screening process designed for eating disorder prevention, and to continue to refine the assessment of disordered eating in athletes. Not surprisingly, results showed that subclinical eating problems were more prevalent than clinical eating disorders in athletes, with 19 percent of female athletes and 12 percent of male athletes reporting eating disorder symptoms in year one, and 17 percent of female athletes and nine percent of male athletes in year two. Because the Q-EDD does not fully capture male body image problems, in 2002 questions were added to the Q-EDD that assessed preoccupation with muscularity, and preliminary Endings showed that one percent of male athletes fit a diagnosis of Muscle Dysmorphia. For both years, athletes from lean sports reported significantly more eating disorder symptoms than did athletes from nonlean sports. Specific policies employed by this university and prevention strategies will be discussed.

Disordered Eating in Japanese and Chinese Female Runners, Rhythmic Gymnasts and Gymnasts

Eating Attitude Test-26 (EAT-26) and self-administered questionnaires were used to survey eating attitudes and menstrual irregularity of Japanese (J) and Chinese (C) collegiate female runners (RUNs), rhythmic gymnasts (RGYMs), gymnasts (GYMs), and nonathletic controls (NAs). Athletes were recruited from several outstanding colleges for physical education and sport in each country. The prevalence of disordered eating (DE) was significantly higher in Japanese athletes (21% in JRUNs, 19% in JRGYMs, and 15% in JGYMs) than Chinese athletes (4% in CRUNs, 2% in CRGYMs, and none in CGYMs). Also, the prevalence of amenorrhea was very low in CRUNs (1%), CRGYMs (0%), and CGYMs (0%), as compared with their respective Japanese counterparts (JRUNs 22%, JRGYMs 10%, JGYMs 8%). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of DE and amenorrhea between Japanese and Chinese NAs. Multivariate logistic regression analysis using 10 independent variables regarding anthropometrics, athletics, weight and diet concern, and nationality indicated that high frequency of dieting during a lifetime, high athletic level and being Japanese were significant risks for the development of DE in athletes. It is concluded that the low prevalence of DE in the Chinese in this study is partly explained by the lack of socioculturally- and socioeconomically-imposed desire to be thin as well as by the low frequency of dieting during their lifetime.

Eating Disorders Among Athletes: Research and Recommendations

Research indicates that certain athletes, particularly those in sports that emphasize leanness to enhance performance or appearance (e.g., gymnastics, wrestling, figure skating, diving, and ballet), are at risk for eating disorders. Little is known about the risk for eating disorder symptoms in weight and strength training. It is concluded that, even when mild variants of eating disorders are observed in athletes, they should be given immediate attention because they may severely compromise health and performance. Practical recommendations are made for coaches and trainers to identify the physical, psychological, and behavioral symptoms of eating disorders. Finally, suggestions are made for addressing eating disorders in athletes.

Eating Disorders among Athletes

Research is reviewed indicating that certain athletes, particularly those in sports that emphasize leanness to enhance performance or appearance (e.g., gymnastics, wrestling, figure skating, diving and ballet), are at risk for eating disorders. It is concluded that, even if mild variants of eating disorders (i.e., only some symptoms required for a formal diagnosis are present) are observed in athletes, they should be given immediate attention because they may severely compromise health and performance. Practical recommendations are made for coaches and trainers to identify the physical, psychological and behavioral symptoms of eating disorders. Finally, suggestions are made for addressing eating disorders in athletes.

Eating Disorders among Athletes: Research and Recommendations

Research is reviewed indicating that certain athletes, particularly those in sports that emphasize leanness to enhance performance or appearance (e.g., gymnastics, wrestling, figure skating, diving and ballet), are at risk for eating disorders. It is concluded that, even if mild variants of eating disorders (i.e., only some symptoms required for a formal diagnosis are present) are observed in athletes, they should be given immediate attention because they may severely compromise health and performance. Practical recommendations are made for coaches and trainers to identify the physical, psychological and behavioral symptoms of eating disorders. Finally, suggestions are made for addressing eating disorders in athletes.