Eating disorders and exercise dependence in triathletes

Area of Science:

• Sports Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Exercise Science

Background:

• Exercise dependence is a growing concern in athletic populations.
• The relationship between exercise dependence and eating disorders requires further investigation.
• Understanding distinct behavioral patterns is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and characterize distinct groups of triathletes based on exercise dependence and eating disorder symptomatology.
• To examine the relationship between exercise dependence and eating attitudes in a cohort of triathletes.
• To differentiate between primary and secondary exercise dependence.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 203 triathletes completed the Exercise Dependence Questionnaire (EDQ) and the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT).
• Cluster and discriminant analyses were employed to identify distinct groups.
• Descriptive variables were analyzed to differentiate between the identified groups.

Main Results:

• Four distinct groups emerged: two with high exercise dependence (one with co-occurring eating disorders), one with high disordered eating, and one with low scores on both measures.
• Significant differences were observed in descriptive variables across the four groups.
• Few significant differences were found between primary and secondary exercise-dependent groups.

Conclusions:

• The study demonstrates the existence of distinct profiles of exercise dependence and disordered eating among triathletes.
• Primary exercise dependence was evident, but distinctions between primary and secondary forms were minimal in this sample.
• Findings highlight the importance of assessing both exercise dependence and eating attitudes in triathlete populations.