Graduate Program
School Psychology
Degree Name
Specialist in School Psychology
Semester of Degree Completion
2004
Thesis Director
Assege HaileMariam
Abstract
For many years, eating disorders have become more prevalent in American society. Researchers have recently identified a "new" at risk group, female athletes. The primary purpose of this study was to answer two questions: First, are tendencies toward eating disorders and the use of pathogenic weight control techniques different between female high school athletes and female high school nonathletes? Secondly, among high school female athletes, are tendencies toward eating disorders and the use of pathogenic weight control techniques different between performance sports and traditional sports? Each participant completed a survey packet to gather information on (1) demography including athletic participation, (2) eating attitudes, Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) (Garner & Garfinkel, 1979), and (3) usage of pathogenic weight control techniques. The questionnaires were divided into one of the four groups (traditional athlete, performance athlete, combination athlete, or non-athlete) and comparisons were made. Results indicated only minor differences in eating disorder tendencies and pathogenic weight control techniques among the groups. On the EAT-26, athletes had higher mean scores than nonathletes, but this difference was not significant. When traditional athletes and performance athletes were compared using the EAT-26, the traditional athletes had a higher mean score than the performance athletes, but this was also not significantly different. Regarding pathogenic weight control techniques and athletic participation, the athletes scored significantly higher than the nonathletes in regard to vomiting and exercising to control weight/shape. No significant differences were found between traditional and performance athletes in regard to pathogenic weight control techniques. Current literature, implications and future directions are discussed.
Recommended Citation
McDonald, Natasha L., "Eating Disorder Tendencies and Pathogenic Weight Control Usage in High School Female Athletes" (2004). Masters Theses. 1346.
https://thekeep.eiu.edu/theses/1346
