THE ROLE OF SOCIAL PHYSIQUE ANXIETY AND OTHER VARIABLES IN PREDICTINGEATING BEHAVIORS IN COLLEGE-STUDENTS

Early identification of potentially harmful eating patterns is critica l in the effective remediation of such behaviors. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the degree to which various factors inclu ding gender, family history, and athletic status predict disordered ea ting behavior; social physique anxiety and percent body fat were added as potential predictor variables. The eating behaviors of student-ath letes and nonathlete students were also compared. One hundred eighty u ndergraduate students (males = 49, females = 131) provided demographic information and completed the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) and the Soc ial Physique Anxiety Scale (SPAS). Stepwise multiple-regression analys is indicated that social physique anxiety, gender, and body fat (%Fat) combined to predict 34% of disordered eating behaviors: EAT = 0.921 S PA - 1.05 %Fat + 10.95 Gender(1 = M, 2 = F) - 17.82 (R-2 =.34, SE = 4. 68). A one-way ANOVA comparing the eating behaviors of athletes and no nathletes revealed no significant difference between these groups.