Disordered eating symptoms and emotional regulation in female collegiate athletes and non-athletes

Abstract

Background: Eating disorders (EDs) are some of the most challenging mental disorders to treat. Thus recognizing the early signs and symptoms of eating disorders is critical for prevention efforts. Disordered eating is a term used to recognize dyregulated eating patterns that serve as a risk factor for EDs. Risk factors for disordered eating need further investigation in female college students (athletes and non-athletes), including emotional regulation that has been only partly examined in this unique population. Purpose: To explore the prevalence of disordered eating in female collegiate athletes and examine differences by type of athlete (lean and non-lean sports). Additional purposes are to compare the prevalence of disordered eating symptoms between female collegiate athletes and their non-athletic counterparts; to explore the relationship between the individual domains of disordered eating and emotional regulation strategies; to examine emotional regulation, athletic status and family history of eating disorders as potential predictors of disordered eating behaviors in female college students. Methods: A convenience sample of females was recruited at a NCAA Division I University in Midwest of the US. Survey-based data was collected in the classrooms and during athleteic team meetings. Prevalence of disordered eating was measured by the Eating Attitudes Test and the Minnesota Eating Behavior Survey. Emotional regulation was measured by the Difficulties in Emotional Regulation Scale (DERS).Results: A total of 527 females participated in this study (151 athletes and 376 non-athletes). The prevalence of disordered eating in athletes was 10.6%, with no differences by type of sport. The prevalence of disordered eating was significantly higher in non-athletes (16.5% vs. 6.6%; p<.001). Disordered eating measured by the MEBS also showed a higher prevalence in non-athletes (22.1% vs. 10.6%; p<.001). Non-athletes also showed greater difficulties regulating emotions than athletes (p<.01). The athletic status and greater difficulties with accepting negative emotions significantly predicted disordered eating (p<.001 R2= .15). Conclusions: College females are at risk for disordered eating regardless of sport participation, with difference in the prevalence by type of assessment tool used. Emotional regulation was associated with disordered eating behaviors in our sample. Future research on disordered eating in female college students should focus on further exploring dimensions of emotional regulation as well as congruency in methodology used to examine disordered eating.