Actions Speak Louder Than Coaches: Eating Disorder Behaviour Among Student Athletes

Abstract

The objective of the current study was to examine the prevalence of eating disorder behaviour among student athletes. Two hundred participants (130 female, 70 male) completed an online survey that assessed participants eating disorder behaviour (EAT26), behaviours consistent with the Adonis Complex (ACQ) and perceived social support (modified MPSS). The results revealed significant differences in eating disorder behaviour between female and male athletes, with females scoring significantly higher. No differences were found between how female and male athletes scored on the Adonis Complex Questionnaire. Significant differences were found between lean-sport and non lean sport athletes, with lean sport athletes exhibiting more eating disorder behaviours. Furthermore, non-lean sport male athletes were found to score significantly higher than lean-sport male athletes for the Adonis Complex. Significant differences were also found across club and varsity sports, with club athletes exhibiting significantly more eating disorder behaviours than varsity athletes. Perceived social support was found to be negatively correlated to eating disorder behaviour, and when considering gender variables, level of competition and type of sport, accounted for unique variance in eating disorder behaviour. These results suggest that athletes are susceptible to negative mental health outcomes, and eating behaviours vary among athletes and sport type. The results highlight the importance of having support systems in place for student athletes and increasing awareness of athletic staff and coaches as to the seriousness and prevalence of eating disorder behaviours among their student athletes