Medicine, Mind and Adolescence 1998, XIII, 1-2
A
HIGH RISK POPULATION ? :
DISORDERED EATING IN STUDENTS OF A SPORTS-RELATED COURSE
Jim Golby, Diane Bamber1
DISORDERED EATING IN STUDENTS OF A SPORTS-RELATED COURSE
Jim Golby, Diane Bamber1
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Abstract
Aim:
Studies have shown that both students and athletes are at risk of developing eating disorders. However, little research has been conducted on individuals who are members of both these populations, particularly those studying on the increasingly popular sports-related degree courses. The present study examines such a population to ascertain whether the risk factors identified prove to be additive or interactive. Thus the sample is examined for the prevalence of eating disorder and for possible aetiological factors.
Method:
A battery of self-report questionnaires was administered to 141 undergraduates. The sample comprised 65 males (mean age =21.87yrs, s.d=4.25yrs ) and 76 females (mean age=21.76yrs s.d.=3.84yrs.) who were studying on a Sport and Exercise Science first degree. Measures recorded included: EAT/26 (Garner & Garfinkel, 1982), BITE (Henderson & Freeman, 1987), BDI (Beck, 1978) and SEI (Coopsmith, 1993). Details of exercise motivation, exercise behaviour as well as demographic variables were also recorded.
Results:
Findings suggested that students of a sports-related course represent a high risk population for disordered eating with a higher than average prevalence of disordered eating cross all three years of the degree, irrespective of gender. Results also demonstrated a significant difference between males and females on all measures of eating behaviour with females scoring consistently higher than males. Depression rates were also high compared to population norms and a gender difference was noted on scores of self-esteem. Both depression and self-esteem were significantly correlated with measures of eating disorder.
Conclusions:
Findings are discussed in terms of the psychological well-being of the sample and recommendations for future study are made.
Key Words: exercise behaviour, students, disordered eating.
1. Correspondence to: Dr. Jim Golby, M.A., M.Phil., PhD., C. Psychol, Clarendon Building, Social Science Department, Teeside University, Middlesborough. Telephone: 01642-342.324, Fax: 01642-342.399, Email: J.Golby@tees.ac.uk
Ms Diane Bamber BSc., School of Sport & Exercise Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT. Telephone: 0121-414.7510 / 444.7788, Fax: 0121-414.4121, Email: BamberD@Sportex.bham.ac.uk
