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Athletes and eating disorders: the National Collegiate Athletic Association study
C Johnson1, P S Powers, R Dick
1Eating Disorders Program, Laureate Psychiatric Clinic and Hospital, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74136, USA.
The International Journal of Eating Disorders
|July 28, 1999
Summary
Female student athletes report higher rates of disordered eating, including bulimia nervosa and binge eating, compared to male athletes. These findings highlight a critical need for targeted interventions in collegiate sports programs.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
Background:
- Disordered eating is a significant concern among athletes.
- Previous studies have varied in their findings regarding prevalence.
- Understanding gender differences is crucial for effective prevention and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of disordered eating among NCAA Division 1 student athletes.
- To compare prevalence rates between male and female athletes.
- To identify specific disordered eating behaviors and their frequency.
Main Methods:
- A collaborative study with the National College Athletic Association (NCAA).
- Survey of 1,445 student athletes from 11 Division 1 schools.
- Utilized a 133-item questionnaire to assess disordered eating patterns.
Main Results:
- 1.1% of female athletes met DSM-IV criteria for bulimia nervosa; 0% of males.
- 9.2% of females showed clinically significant bulimia symptoms vs. 0.01% of males.
- Female athletes reported higher weekly binge eating (10.85%) and purging behaviors (5.52%) than males.
Conclusions:
- Findings are more conservative than some prior studies but align with research on elite Norwegian athletes.
- Female athletes consistently report greater difficulties with disordered eating than male athletes.
- Specific risk factors for disordered eating in female athletes warrant further investigation.
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