Eating disorder diagnosis and the female athlete: A longitudinal analysis from college sport to retirement. Issue 6 (June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thompson, Alexandra; Petrie, Trent; Tackett, Bailey; Balcom, Kayla; Watkins, C. Edward
• Is Part Of: Journal of science and medicine in sport. Volume 24:Issue 6(2021)
• Page Start: 531
• Page End: 535
• Publication Date: 2021-06
• Subjects: Weight control -- Bulimia nervosa -- ED-NOS -- Diet -- Fast -- Exercise; Sports sciences -- Periodicals; Sports medicine -- Periodicals; Exercise -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Sports -- physiology -- Periodicals; Sports Medicine -- Periodicals; Sportgeneeskunde; 617.102705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2020.12.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1440-2440

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: Female athletes experience eating disorders (EDs) at clinical, and subclinical, levels; most studies have determined point-prevalence rates through cross-sectional methodologies. To date, few studies have examined the long-term stability of EDs in female athletes; none extend into retirement. Design: A longitudinal investigation of ED classification (i.e., Clinical ED, Subclinical ED, Healthy) and weight control behaviors (e.g., vomiting, laxative use) from when athletes actively competed (T1) into their retirement (T2). Methods: Participants included U.S. female athletes (N = 193) who were collegiate competitors (T1) and eventually were retired from their collegiate sports six years later (T2). Results: At T2, athletes were classified as Healthy (69.9%), Subclinical ED (26.9%), and Clinical ED (3.1%). Overall percentage of Subclinical EDs increased from 18.7% (T1) to 26.9% (T2); 52.8% of T1 Subclinical ED athletes continued to meet criteria for either Subclinical or Clinical ED at T2. Of the 13 Clinical ED athletes at T1, six (46.2%) continued to meet criteria for either a subclinical or clinical ED at T2. Though exercising (2+ hours/day; n = 8, 4.1%) and dieting/fasting (4+ times/year; n = 14, 7.3%) were the most frequently used weight control behaviors at T2, rates were substantially lower than at T1. Conclusions: Retirement does not result in immediate remittance of eating concerns among female athletes; many continue or develop Subclinical and Clinical ED symptoms. Thus, addressing healthy body image and nutrition when athletes are competing is imperative to assist prevention and intervention efforts that may alleviate ED symptoms as athletes transition from sport.