No abstract

No abstract

The seasonality, size, age, colour phases and sexual dimorphism of 13 reproductive classes of hogfish Lachnolaimus maximus are described. Analysis of histological sections of gonads (n ¼ 1662) confirmed earlier conclusions that L. maximus is a monandric, protogynous hermaphrodite. Sex change was initiated at the end of the spawning season and over a broad range of sizes and ages. It occurred after a functional female phase (postmaturation) and proceeded more slowly (months) than previously believed. Eventually all individuals changed sex to a terminal male phase. Females were batch spawners, spawning as often as every day during winter and spring. There was no evidence of precocious sperm crypts in active females, sperm competition or other alternative male sexual strategies. Mating has been reported elsewhere to be haremic. The sexual development of L. maximus appears to be adaptive in terms of Ghiselin's sizeadvantage model, which links monandric protogyny and polygyny. The slow rate of sex change, however, poses problems when fishing pressure is high because harvest of a single male has the potential to reduce the reproductive output of an entire harem.

The purpose of the present study was to gather information from coaches regarding their monitoring/management of athlete eating and weight, knowledge of nutritional health issues, availability of prevention/intervention services for athletes at their school, experience with athletes exhibiting symptoms of eating and body image disturbances, and their attitudes toward eating and weight in the sport. A total of 303 coaches (51% response rate) involved in six sports (i.e., gymnastics, swimming, basketball, softball, track, and volleyball) at all levels of collegiate competition (NCAA Divisions I, II, III, and NAIA) completed a 40-item survey. Gender was found to be related to differential responding on only one of the 40 items, while sport and level of competition were related to responses on multiple items. Gymnastics coaches and NCAA Division I coaches differed significantly from coaches of other sports and divisions in that they reported more monitoring/management behaviors, had more experience with athletes exhibiting eating disturbances, and had more resources available for preventing and treating athletes with eating disorders. Gymnastics coaches also differed from other coaches on a number of items related to their attitudes toward eating and weight in the sport. Many coaches have encountered disturbed eating among their athletes, and some of their coaching attitudes and behaviors may inadvertently increase the risk for such disturbances. Implications for clinical and sport psychologists providing prevention or intervention services to intercollegiate athletes are discussed.

Eating disorders are a particular problem for college students, as well as college athletes and military personnel. We examined the incidence, prevalence, and risk of eating disorders at the United States Military Academy (USMA) over a 7-year period (total population 12,731 cadets). The incidence per year for females was 0.02% for anorexia, 0.17% for bulimia, and 0.17% for eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS) and for males was 0.0% for anorexia, 0.003% for bulimia, and 0.02% for eating disorders not otherwise specified. The total prevalence of diagnosed eating disorders for females was 5% and for males was 0.1%. For females over the 7-year period, we found a prevalence of 0.2% for anorexia, 1.2% for bulimia, 1.2% for eating disorders not otherwise specified, and for males we found a prevalence of 0.0% for anorexia, 0.02% for bulimia, and 0.03% for eating disorders not otherwise specified. Nineteen percent of females and 2% of males scored a 20 or higher on the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT)-26 survey indicating they were at risk for developing an eating disorder. We conclude that the prevalence of eating disorders at USMA is comparable to civilian colleges.