Female Aesthetic Athletes Research Articles

The Prevalence of Eating Disorders in Female Aesthetic Athletes

Eating disorders, a spectrum of psychological diseases (e.g., anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorders) that can cause adverse impacts on health, are prevalent in athletes. Female athletes in aesthetic sports, where the thin-ideal body figure is highly valued by judges and audiences, are at highest risk of developing eating disorders. This review paper examines current research on major risk factors, diagnosis, and interventions regarding aesthetic athletes’ abnormal eating behaviors and eating disorders. The interconnected influence of social and sport pressures, including parents & coaches’ influences, body dissatisfaction, and achievement goals have been found to be the major risk factors. Culture can also exert influence on the development of eating disorders. This paper reviews the screening tools, which primarily consist of self-reported questionnaires, used to identify eating disorders as well as education-based preventions and intervention programs. Finally, the limitations of current research in the field majorly lies in the validation of screening tools and interventions.

THE IMPACT OF RECEIVING A CRITICAL WEIGHT/SHAPE COMMENT ON FEMALE AESTHETIC ATHLETES’ WELLBEING

This study investigated whether female aesthetic athletes (a subset of athletes including dancers, gymnasts, figure skaters) who recall receiving critical comments about their weight/shape report poorer wellbeing compared to those who do not. Female aesthetic athletes (N= 381) completed measures assessing psychological wellbeing (self-esteem, anxiety), disordered eating and compulsive exercise behaviours/attitudes. Participants who recalled receiving a critical comment about their weight/ shape (N= 251) reported higher levels of disordered eating, compulsive exercise, and anxiety, and lower levels of self-esteem. Greater awareness is needed of the potential negative impact that such critical comments may have on athlete wellbeing.

"In Favor of Myself for Athletes": A Controlled Trial to Improve Disordered Eating, Body-Image and Self-Care in Adolescent Female Aesthetic Athletes

Objective: An eating disorder can have devastating effects on an athlete’s health and performance, especially in athletes participating in sports in which low body weight or leanness confers a competitive advantage. The current study aimed to develop and examine the impact of a prevention program focused on positive protective factors, to reduce the risk of development of eating disorders and health-compromising behaviors among aesthetic athletes.Methods: Participants were 49 female figure skaters and dancers aged 10-16 years (13.1 ± 1.6) and 46 age-andbranch- matched controls. The intervention program included ten weekly 45 min structured sessions, focusing on promoting self-care habits and positive body esteem. The program was team-based and included multiple interactive methods. Outcomes were measured at baseline, post-intervention, and 3 months follow-up using the Eating Disorders Inventory-2, the Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire-8, the Thin-Ideal Internalization and Socio- Cultural Attitudes towards Appearance Questionnaire-4, the Body Esteem Scale, and the Body Appreciation Scale.Results: Aesthetic athletes in the prevention program

An Examination of the Differences of Characteristics Which are Psychologically Related to Disordered Eating of Female High School Athletes in Aesthetic and Non-Aesthetic Sports

A baseline study was conducted. There appears to be significant pressure for athletes in aesthetic sports to be thin, especially as physical and aesthetic aspects greatly influence judgements in competitions. Remarkable mental distress and extreme weight control are risk factors for eating disorders. The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychological characteristics in female adolescent aesthetic athletes. The sample consisted of 12 female aesthetic athletes and 19 female non-aesthetic athletes, aged between 15 and 18 years. The psychological characteristics were assessed using POMS 2®-Y (Profile of Mood States 2nd Edition-Youth) scores before and after the games. Disordered eating was assessed using AEBS (Abnormal Eating Behavior Scale). The data were analyzed using correlation analysis, t-test and two-way ANOVA. The pre-game scores of POMS 2®-Y negative items in the baton twirling players were significantly higher than those in hand ball players. On the other hand, the post-game scores showed no significant differences between the two groups. Correlations were found between the scores in most of the negative items of POMS 2®-Y and AEBS total score. We suggested that aesthetic athletes had more negative mood states related to disordered eating than non-aesthetic athletes before games. Nutrition education should be conducted with an emphasis on these psychologically characteristics in aesthetic athletes.

The Internalisation of Sociocultural and Thin-Ideal Standards in Sports Scale: Development and preliminary validation in female aesthetic sports athletes

Thinness is a part of today's sociocultural standards of beauty and thus is implicated in body image dissatisfaction and eating disorders. In female aesthetic sports, thinness is a standard for aesthetics and performance. Measuring the internalisation of thin-ideal standards in these athletes may therefore help them to gain insight into the risks associated with body image dissatisfaction and disordered eating. This study aimed to develop and validate the Internalisation of Sociocultural and Thin-Ideal Standards in Sports (ISTISS) Scale. Four studies involving 357 female aesthetic athletes examined the exploratory factorial structure, temporal stability, and concurrent validity of the ISTISS, which gave rise to a 10-item scale with two subscales: internalisation of sociocultural standards and thin-ideal standards in sports. Internal consistencies were satisfactory and relationships with the self-regulation of eating attitude in sport were as expected. These findings provide preliminary evidence for the appropriateness of the ISTISS Scale for female aesthetic sports athletes.

The Internalisation of Sociocultural and Thin-Ideal Standards in Sports scale: Development and preliminary validation in female athletes participating in aesthetic sports

Thinness is a part of today's sociocultural standards of beauty and thus is implicated in body-image dissatisfaction and eating disorders. In female aesthetic sports, thinness is a standard for aesthetics and performance. Measuring the internalisation of thin-ideal standards in these athletes may therefore help athletes, coaches, parents, administrators, sport psychologists, and so on to gain insight into the risks associated with body-image dissatisfaction and disordered eating. This study aimed to develop and validate the Internalisation of Sociocultural and Thin-Ideal Standards in Sports (ISTISS) scale. Four studies involving 357 female aesthetic athletes examined the exploratory factorial structure, temporal stability, and concurrent validity of the ISTISS, which gave rise to a 10-item scale with two subscales: internalisation of sociocultural standards and thin-ideal standards in sports. Internal consistencies were satisfactory and relationships with the self-regulation of eating attitude in sport were as expected. These findings provide preliminary evidence for the appropriateness of the ISTISS scale for female aesthetic sports athletes.

Validity of the Rapid Eating Assessment for Patients for assessing dietary patterns in NCAA athletes.

BackgroundAthletes may be at risk for developing adverse health outcomes due to poor eating behaviors during college. Due to the complex nature of the diet, it is difficult to include or exclude individual food items and specific food groups from the diet. Eating behaviors may better characterize the complex interactions between individual food items and specific food groups. The purpose was to examine the Rapid Eating Assessment for Patients survey (REAP) as a valid tool for analyzing eating behaviors of NCAA Division-I male and female athletes using pattern identification. Also, to investigate the relationships between derived eating behavior patterns and body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) while stratifying by sex and aesthetic nature of the sport.MethodsTwo independent samples of male (n = 86; n = 139) and female (n = 64; n = 102) collegiate athletes completed the REAP in June-August 2011 (n = 150) and June-August 2012 (n = 241). Principal component analysis (PCA) determined possible factors using wave-1 athletes. Exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) determined factors accounting for error and confirmed model fit in wave-2 athletes. Wave-2 athletes’ BMI and WC were recorded during a physical exam and sport participation determined classification in aesthetic and non-aesthetic sport. Mean differences in eating behavior pattern score were explored. Regression models examined interactions between pattern scores, participation in aesthetic or non-aesthetic sport, and BMI and waist circumference controlling for age and race.ResultsA 5-factor PCA solution accounting for 60.3% of sample variance determined fourteen questions for EFA and CFA. A confirmed solution revealed patterns of Desserts, Healthy food, Meats, High-fat food, and Dairy. Pattern score (mean ± SE) differences were found, as non-aesthetic sport males had a higher (better) Dessert score than aesthetic sport males (2.16 ± 0.07 vs. 1.93 ± 0.11). Female aesthetic athletes had a higher score compared to non-aesthetic female athletes for the Dessert (2.11 ± 0.11 vs. 1.88 ± 0.08), Meat (1.95 ± 0.10 vs. 1.72 ± 0.07), High-fat food (1.70 ± 0.08 vs. 1.46 ± 0.06), and Dairy (1.70 ± 0.11 vs. 1.43 ± 0.07) patterns.ConclusionsREAP is a construct valid tool to assess dietary patterns in college athletes. In light of varying dietary patterns, college athletes should be evaluated for healthful and unhealthful eating behaviors.

Effects of achievement goals on female aesthetic athletes’ disordered eating attitudes

Summary Objective This study examined how achievement goals are related to athletes’ eating disorders. Method The sample consisted of 196 female adolescents involved in aesthetic sports at an elite level. Data were examined through structural equation modeling. Results The data showed that performance-avoidance goals were negatively related to eating disorders, whereas both performance-approach and mastery-avoidance goals positively predicted these disorders. These findings indicate that performance-approach and mastery-avoidance goals may be risk factors for the development of eating disorders, whereas performance-avoidance goals may have protective effects.

Adolescent aesthetic athletes: A group at risk for eating pathology?

Previous research shows that leanness- and weight-dependent sports increase the risk of developing disturbed eating behaviour. This study investigated whether adolescent aesthetic athletes (n=68, M=14.6years), particularly ballet dancers and figure skaters, exhibit more eating pathology compared to the general population. Furthermore, it was investigated whether sport-related factors have explanatory value for the dieting behaviour of aesthetic athletes.To asses eating pathology, reliable and valid self-report questionnaires were used including the Eating Disorder Inventory-II, the Children's Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire and the Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire.Results show that female aesthetic athletes show more drive for thinness, features of bulimia, dieting behaviour and concerns about weight and shape compared to female adolescents from the general population. Concerning the explanation of dieting behaviour in aesthetic athletes, both sport-related factors (competition state anxiety) and general risk factors (eating concern) seem to be relevant.These results suggest that female aesthetic athletes show more disturbed eating behaviour and thoughts than female adolescents from the general population and therefore may have an enhanced risk of developing clinical eating disorders.

Dietary Intake and Body Composition of Prepubescent Female Aesthetic Athletes

The purpose of this study was to assess dietary intake and body composition of prepubescent girls competing in 3 aesthetic sports (artistic and rhythmic gymnastics and ballet). Because physiological demands of ballet training are similar to those in other aesthetic sports, ballet dancers were, for the purpose of this study, regarded as athletes. The sample consisted of 39 athletes (median age, 11 years, range 9-13) and 15 controls (median age, 11 years, range 10-12). Dietary intake was assessed using a quantitative food frequency questionnaire, and body composition, by means of anthropometry. There was no significant difference in total energy intake between groups, but there was a significant difference in energy substrate distribution. Artistic gymnasts reported significantly higher carbohydrate and lower fat contribution to total energy (57% +/- 6% and 29% +/- 5%, respectively) than rhythmic gymnasts (48% +/- 6% and 36% +/- 5%), ballet dancers (51% +/- 4% and 34% +/- 3%), or controls (51% +/- 5% and 34% +/- 4%). Relative to body weight, artistic gymnasts reported higher intake of carbohydrates (9.1 +/- 4.2 g/kg) than rhythmic gymnasts (5.6 +/- 3.1 g/kg), ballet dancers (6.6 +/- 2.5 g/kg), or controls (5.4 +/- 1.9 g/kg). Artistic gymnasts also had the lowest body-fat percentage among the groups. In all the groups mean reported daily intakes of most nutrients were higher than the current daily recommended intakes. The exceptions were dietary fiber and calcium. The proportion of athletes with an inadequate reported intake was highest for phosphorus (33%), followed by vitamin A and niacin (18%) and zinc (13%).

Dieting and body image in aesthetic sports: A comparison of Dutch female gymnasts and non-aesthetic sport participants

Objectives To examine the relationship between dieting behavior and body image in female aesthetic athletes. Methods Seventeen elite gymnasts, 51 non-elite gymnasts and a control group of 85 schoolgirls, participating in non-elite, merely recreational non-aesthetic sports, completed self-report measures of dieting behaviors and body image. Results After controlling for BMI, the results showed that elite gymnasts dieted more often than controls, although they were not more negative about their body. Furthermore, non-elite gymnasts dieted as much as controls and had a more positive body image. Despite what general theories predict, the gymnasts’ dieting was not so much related to a negative body image but rather to weight-related causal attributions or perceived weight-related coach pressure. Conclusions Whereas controls believe that ‘thin is beautiful’, gymnasts seem more convinced or persuaded that ‘thin is going to win’. Future research should take into consideration that dieting and body image are likely to be developed differently in the context of aesthetic sports.