Prevalence of Disordered Eating Among International Sport Lead Rock Climbers

Abstract

Disordered eating (DE) is characterized as a range of irregular eating patterns or behaviors, which may lead to pathological eating or a clinical eating disorder diagnosis. DE patterns are associated with a variety of negative health outcomes. The prevalence of DE is highest in female athletes who participate in aesthetic or weight dependent sports. Elite rock climbers tend to be strong, small and lean, but the prevalence of DE in rock climbers is unknown. The purpose of the present study was to assess DE prevalence in a large group of international rock climbers and to explore the relationship between sport rock climbing ability and DE. A web-based survey assessed both DE (Eating Attitudes Test-26) and climbing ability based on the International Rock Climbing Research Association's position statement on comparative grading scales. The survey was distributed to international climbing communities; 810 individuals attempted the survey; 604 completed all questions; 498 identified as sport lead climbers. The majority of sport lead climbers were lower grade/intermediate (57.8%), compared to advanced (30.7%) and elite/higher elite (11.4%), and male (76.9%). Forty-three sport lead climbers reported a score of 20 or above on the EAT-26 indicating an 8.6% prevalence of DE in this sample. Male climbers had a DE prevalence of 6.3% (24 of 383) and female climbers more than doubled that with 16.5% (19 of 115). Chi-square analysis revealed that DE was associated with climbing ability level [χ 2 (2, n = 498, 8.076, p = 0.02)], and when analyzed by sex, only the female climbers had a significant relationship of DE with climbing ability [χ 2 (2, n = 115, 15.640, p = 0.00)]. These findings suggest sport lead rock climbers are not immune to DE and that the risk is elevated in female climbers, particularly at the elite/high elite climbing ability level. Our research indicates further investigations are warranted to determine if and how disordered eating behaviors affect health and performance of adult rock climbers.

Dietary Intakes and the Risk of Low Energy Availability in Male and Female Advanced and Elite Rock Climbers

“…The dietary behavior of the subjects in our study was assessed using the EAT-26 questionnaire. Results showed that 8% of the subjects exhibited an ED, a rate that is nearly identical to findings of a recent study that used a sample of 498 climbers from different countries (21). Eating disorders can lead to detrimental psychological and physiological effects and have also been linked to unhealthy physical activity behaviors and the Female Athlete Triad and/or RED-S, all of which might have a negative impact on sport performance (43).…”

Evaluation of Supplement Use in Sport Climbers at Different Climbing Levels

“…Many sport climbers wish to have a low body mass and low body fat to enhance performance. Therefore, they may restrict calories, which can lead to inadequate macronutrient and micronutrient intake [ 22 ]. On the other hand, providing nutrients with ergogenic potential can result in energy surplus and unintended weight gain.…”

Attitudes towards disordered eating in the rock climbing community: a digital ethnography

“…Notably, 86% did not meet their target carbohydrate intake and 73% did not meet their target fat intake, whereas a large majority met or exceeded their target protein intake-a pattern that is also characteristic for many individuals with restrictive eating disorders [20]. In a 2020 survey study involving an international sample of 498 adult sport climbers, an overall 8.6% prevalence of disordered eating was observed and 4.2% of respondents reported having been treated for an eating disorder [21]. A higher prevalence of disordered eating was seen among female climbers (16.5%) compared to male climbers (6.3%); in the subgroup of elite and high elite female climbers, the prevalence was 42.9%.…”