Pathogenic Weight-Control Behaviors of Female College Gymnasts

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Sports Psychology
• Nutrition Science

Background:

• Collegiate gymnastics demands exceptional athleticism and a lean physique.
• Social pressures within sports can influence athlete behaviors regarding weight and body image.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the dieting practices of female college gymnasts.
• To determine the prevalence of pathogenic weight-control behaviors in this population.
• To explore the relationship between coach feedback and weight-control behaviors.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to 42 female college gymnasts from five teams in a major athletic conference.
• Data collection focused on dieting habits and weight-control strategies.
• Analysis included categorizing behaviors as pathogenic.

Main Results:

• All surveyed gymnasts reported dieting.
• Over half (26 out of 42) engaged in at least one pathogenic weight-control behavior.
• A significant majority (21 out of 28) of gymnasts told they were too heavy by coaches used pathogenic behaviors.

Conclusions:

• Dieting is universal among female college gymnasts studied.
• Pathogenic weight-control behaviors are prevalent, particularly when influenced by coach perceptions of weight.
• The demanding nature of gymnastics combined with social pressures contributes to unhealthy weight management.