DISORDERED EATING IN FEMALE COLLEGIATE GYMNASTS - PREVALENCE AND PERSONALITY ATTITUDINAL CORRELATES

This study extended the examination of the eating disorders continuum to the population of female athletes. Participants (215 collegiate gym nasts) were classified as normal/nondisordered eaters, exercisers, bin gers, dieter/restricters, subthreshold bulimics, or bulimics and were then compared on several personality and attitudinal measures. Results revealed that (a) over 60% of the gymnasts met the criteria for one o f the intermediate disordered eating categories, (b) only 22% reported eating behaviors that could be classified as normal or nondisordered, and (c) higher levels of disordered eating disturbance, particularly bulimia nervosa, were associated with a desire to weigh less, lower bo dy satisfaction, lower self-esteem, and greater endorsement of sociocu ltural values regarding women's attractiveness. The findings provide p artial support for the eating continuum in female athletes, and sugges t that disordered eating may be the normative behavior in this populat ion. Implications for interventions as well as directions for future r esearch are provided.