ELITE WOMEN BODYBUILDERS - IRONING OUT NUTRITIONAL MISCONCEPTIONS

This research examined the nutritional practices and body images of 13 competitive women bodybuilders living in southern California and in t he Midwest. Data collection included both structured interviews and su rvey methods. Findings indicate nutritional health and positive body i mage among this sample of women. None of the bodybuilders had anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, as defined by the Diagnostic and Statisti cal Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III-R; American Psychiatric Associ ation, 1987) criteria, were binge eaters or used pathogenic weight con trol measures. Instead, they reported significant improvement in their nutritional attitudes and behaviors after beginning bodybuilding trai ning. These data suggest a relationship between participating in compe titive bodybuilding and other behaviors related to nutrition and self- perception.