Disordered eating behaviours in female physique athletes

Journal article


Whitehead, Jacqui, Slater, Gary, Wright, Hattie, Martin, Lisa, O’Connor, Helen and Mitchell, Lachlan. (2020). Disordered eating behaviours in female physique athletes. European Journal of Sport Science. 20(9), pp. 1206-1214. https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2019.1698659
AuthorsWhitehead, Jacqui, Slater, Gary, Wright, Hattie, Martin, Lisa, O’Connor, Helen and Mitchell, Lachlan
Abstract

Despite substantial growth in participation rates in physique sports, little is known about the modern day female physique athlete. The extreme physique traits of successful female physique athletes suggest this population may be particularly at risk of developing disordered eating (DE). The aim of this study was to determine if female physique athletes across the main divisions of bikini, fitness, figure and bodybuilding were at risk of DE and to explore possible associated risk factors. Furthermore, we aimed to investigate differences in incidence of DE across divisions given differences in physique requirements. Female physique athletes (n = 348) were recruited using targeted methods and completed an online survey based on validated questionnaires, including the Drive for Thinness, Body Dissatisfaction, and Bulimia subscales of the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI), Pathogenic Weight Control Measures (PWCM), and the Cognitive Dietary Restraint subscale of the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ-CDR). Athletes scoring above the cut off values for one or more of the EDI subscales or engaged in at least one of the most concerning PWCM (binge eating, laxative use, and self-induced vomiting) were considered at risk of DE. Approximately half of the participants were identified with DE (46.6%), independent of division, with 27.3% exhibiting clinical and 19.3% having subclinical DE. Furthermore, approximately half (48.9%) of participants engaged in at least one of the most concerning PWCM within the past three months, with a smaller proportion (5.2%) engaging in all three PWCM. Weak but significant correlations were found between some EDI subscales and reason for sport participation, BMI and body composition goals. Drive for thinness and body dissatisfaction were positively associated with use of PWCM. In conclusion, a high proportion of female physique athletes were identified with DE, with a concerning number of athletes engaging in harmful PWCM.

Keywordseating disorders; dietary restraint; bodybuilding; pathogenic weight control measures
Year2020
JournalEuropean Journal of Sport Science
Journal citation20 (9), pp. 1206-1214
PublisherRoutledge
ISSN1746-1391
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2019.1698659
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85076372997
Research or scholarlyResearch
Page range1206-1214
FunderUniversity of the Sunshine Coast
Publisher's version
License
All rights reserved
File Access Level
Controlled
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online12 Dec 2019
Publication process dates
Accepted26 Nov 2019
Deposited25 Aug 2022
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