Factors Associated with Disordered Eating Behaviors among Triathletes

Although there is little data currently available concerning the primary factors associated with disordered eating behaviors among triathletes, these athletes may be at greater risk. Sports medicine professionals are in a unique position to identify athletes with disordered eating risks.

The purpose of this cross-sectional survey study was to identify the prevalence of disordered eating attitudes and behaviors among a national convenience sample of triathletes. A secondary purpose was to identify "triathlon-specific factors" and "competitive athlete-factors" potentially associated with disordered eating behaviors. The authors hypothesized that certain triathlon-specific factors and competitive athlete factors would be associated with increased rates of self-reported disordered eating behaviors.

In a respondent sample of 1,033 adults, multiple competitive athlete factors were associated with a higher risk for disordered eating, whereas triathlon-specific factors were not.

In this study sample, disordered eating was not specifically associated with triathlon-specific factors. Rather, disordered eating behaviors were found to be more often associated with associated competitive athlete factors, particularly in the many leanness sports such as running.