Investigation of eating and deviant behaviors in bodybuilders according to their competitive engagement

Abstract

This study investigated eating and deviant behaviors in bodybuilders according to their competitive engagement. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 bodybuilders of different skill levels. Results revealed that dietary strategies and deviations (e.g., disordered eating, doping use, addictive training) developed with competitive commitment. Bodybuilders who intend to engage in competition are in a critical period for the development of deviant behaviors, in relation with increasing drive for muscularity and performance, and coaching pressure. These findings extend the existing literature on deviant behaviors in bodybuilding by providing better insight in the dynamics of development of disordered eating and associated behaviors. ARTICLE HISTORY

Drive for muscularity behaviors in male bodybuilders: a trans-contextual model of motivation

“…Although this study has several strengths, a number of limitations should be acknowledged. First, our data are limited because our sample was composed only of young men with different levels of expertise (i.e., non-competitors, future competitors, competitors), which might have influenced their motivation and engagement in DM [61]. A possible solution would be to measure the level of competition and include it in the analyses.…”

Towards a Sustainable Nutrition Paradigm in Physique Sport: A Narrative Review

“…Or, if online, to send pictures or a video of the compulsory poses to the coach for feedback and evaluation. Additionally, while many competitors utilize regular weigh ins (i.e., daily) to assess progress [49,54,79,118], there is potential stress imposed by regular weigh ins [85]. Thus, the athlete could be advised to deemphasize the value put on a singular day’s body weight and create a rolling weekly average in a spreadsheet, only to be assessed at the fortnight’s conclusion.…”

Eating Behaviors Among Male Bodybuilders and Runners: Application of the Trans-Contextual Model of Motivation

“…They exhibit obsessional preoccupations with body image because they have taken the cultural standards of bodily perfection to the extreme (i.e., bodybuilders are phobic about not having enough muscle, whereas individuals with eating disorders are fat-phobic), and they are generally more obsessional, perfectionistic, anhedonic, and pathologically narcissistic than the general population. They also display abnormal eating behaviors like food restriction, excessive exercise, and steroid use in pursuit of their goals (e.g., Chaba, d'Arripe-Longueville, Lentillon-Kaestner, & Mériaux-Scoffier 2018;Davis & Scott-Robertson, 2000).…”

“…Although this study has several strengths, some limitations should be acknowledged. First, our sample was composed of young men with different numbers of years of practice, hours of practice per week, and types of practices (i.e., noncompetitors, future competitors, competitors), which might have influenced their motivation and engagement (e.g., Chaba, d'Arripe-Longueville, Scoffier-Mériaux, & Lentillon-Kaestner, 2018). A solution for the future might be to include the level of competition in the analyses.…”