Are they too perfect to eat healthy? Association between eating disorder symptoms and perfectionism in adolescent rhythmic gymnasts. (April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Donti, Olyvia; Donti, Anastasia; Gaspari, Vasiliki; Pleksida, Paraskevi; Psychountaki, Maria
• Is Part Of: Eating behaviors. Volume 41(2020)
• Publication Date: 2021-04
• Subjects: Disturbed eating attitudes -- Adolescence -- Health -- Rhythmic gymnastics -- Perfection; Eating disorders -- Periodicals; Compulsive eating -- Periodicals; Obesity -- Periodicals; 616.8526
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2021.101514
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-0153

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: Eating disorders are associated with perfectionism in adults, but evidence is lacking in adolescent competitive athletes. This study examined eating disorder symptoms and perfectionism in a sample of 13–15 years old, adolescent rhythmic gymnasts. Methods: Eighty-nine female rhythmic gymnasts (41 international and 48 recreational level gymnasts), completed the Eating Attitudes Tests 26 (EAT-26), the Sport Perfectionism Questionnaire (SPQ), the Social Desirability Scale (SDS) and provided information on their training. Results: It was found that 41.46% of the international and 14.58% of the recreational level gymnasts scored ≥20 in EAT-26. International level gymnasts also scored higher than recreational in EAT-26 ( p = 0.002), and its subscales Dieting ( p = 0.012) and Oral Control ( p ˂ 0.001) and in the Sport Perfectionism Questionnaire ( p = 0.005) and the subscales Striving for Perfectionism ( p ˂ 0.001) and Personal Standards ( p ˂ 0.001). No differences were found between groups in the subscales Concerns over Mistakes ( p = 0.429), and Negative Reactions to Imperfection ( p = 0.096). Multiple regression analysis in international level gymnasts, showed that Negative Reactions to Imperfection, body mass index and training experience accounted for 33.2% of the variance in EAT-26 (adjusted R 2 = 0.332, F = 6.786, p ˂ 0.001). A negative association was observed between training experience and eating disorder symptoms in international level athletes. No association was found between the subscales of perfectionism and EAT-26 in recreational gymnasts ( p ˃ 0.316). Conclusions: International level, adolescent rhythmic gymnasts show more eating pathology than recreational. Negative Reactions to Imperfection and BMI seem relevant for gymnasts' dieting behaviour while training experience may help adolescent athletes to cope with disturbed eating behaviours. Highlights: International level gymnasts showed more eating pathology than recreational. Negative reactions to imperfection seem relevant for gymnasts' dieting behaviour. Training experience was negatively associated with EAT-26 among elite gymnasts. Perfectionism was not related to eating pathology in recreational athletes.