Factors associated with disordered eating and eating disorder symptoms in adolescent elite athletes

Abstract

Abstract. Introduction: Recent studies indicate high prevalences of disordered eating or eating disorders in adult athletes and a worrying increase in adolescent athletes. Although several risk factors for developing eating disorders have been identified for adult athletes (e.g., personality factors, sport-related pressure), research on risk factors in adolescent athletes is scarce. Methods: This study investigates the prevalence of disordered eating and eating disorder symptoms and its association with personality- and sport-related risk factors in a sample of 439 elite athletes aged 13–18 years. Self-regulatory personality factors, sports and social pressure, as well as sports biographical data, were investigated in relation to different weight control methods and the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire measuring disordered eating and eating disorder symptoms. Results: Results indicate a prevalence rate of clinically significant eating pathology of 5.5% for the total sample, in which female athletes aged 15–18 years show the highest rate (9.6%). The structural equation model indicates a predominant association of sports and social pressure and personality factors with eating disorder symptoms. Conclusion: Being in the age range 15–18 years, being female, and being an athlete in a high-risk sport (e.g., aesthetics, weight class, or endurance sports) were identified as risk factors as well as athletes’ mental association with weight loss and success, and athletes’ perceived social pressure on eating and on body shape. Disordered eating and eating disorders are not only of concern for adults but also for young elite athletes and recommendations for adolescent elite athletes, coaches, and parents are given.

Development and Validation of a Novel Waist Girth-Based Equation to Estimate Fat Mass in Young Colombian Elite Athletes (F20CA Equation): A STROSA-Based Study

“…Notably, a recently published systematic review showed that the main factors associated with eating disorders in adolescents are psychological-related variables with a high prevalence of body image dissatisfaction [ 9 ]. In fact, in adolescent elite athletes, a higher prevalence rate for eating pathologies in female athletes, in athletes in high-risk sports, and in those aged between 15 to 18 years has been reported [ 10 ]. It seems that young athletes at greater risk of eating disorders are those pressured to achieve a body composition that optimizes performance; therefore, nutrition–dietetics practitioners should target education regarding the risk factors of eating disorders, nutritional recommendations, psychological well-being, and the relationship to physical performance [ 11 ].…”

Anorexic Readiness Syndrome in Elite Female Acrobatic Gymnasts—International Study

“…Most of the studies on nutritional patterns and attitudes in gymnasts has focused on athletes practicing WAG or MAG [ 8 , 16 , 27 , 34 ] and RG [ 20 , 59 ]. Only a few authors included in the studied groups gymnasts practicing TG or AG [ 11 , 15 , 17 , 21 , 37 , 42 ].…”

“…Scientific evidence shows that practicing gymnastic sports may be a reason for greater susceptibility to risky eating behavior. In gymnastic sports, the emphasis is on thinness, weight control, and sometimes even on weight reduction of athletes, due to performance during competition depending on the subjective opinion of the judges and on aesthetic evaluation, not on measurable results [ 8 , 11 , 23 , 34 ]. The ability to maintain a specific body shape and weight is usually associated with a favorable aesthetic impression and optimization of the exercises performed.…”

“…Moreover, the undertaken research focused on various issues. Some studies analyzed the diet used by athletes [ 17 , 37 , 41 ], others were focused on identifying behaviors that indicate DE [ 28 , 32 ] or on psychological and cognitive risk factors [ 18 , 20 , 34 , 42 ].…”

The Athlete’s Paradox: Adaptable Depression

“…Anxiety [13][14][15][16][17][18][19] Bipolar disorder [20][21][22][23][24] Depression [25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35] Eating Disorders [36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48] Loneliness [49][50][51][52] Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders [53][54][55] Self-esteem [17,[56][57][58][59] Self-harm [60][61][62] Sleep Problems …”