Behavioral, psychological, and physical characteristics of female athleteswith subclinical eating disorders

The purpose of this study was to delineate and further define the behaviora l, psychological, and physical characteristics of female athletes with subc linical eating disorders. Subjects consisted of 24 athletes with subclinica l eating disorders (SCED) and 24 control athletes. Group classification was determined by scores on the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI), the Body Shap e Questionnaire (BSQ), and a symptom checklist for eating disorders (EDI-SC ). Characteristics representative of the female athletes with subclinical e ating disorders were derived from an extensive health and dieting history q uestionnaire and an indepth interview (the Eating Disorder Examination). En ergy intake and expenditure (kcal/d) were estimated using 7-day weighed foo d records and activity logs. The characteristics most common in the female athletes with subclinical eating disorders included: (a) preoccupation with food, energy intake, and body weight; (b) distorted body image and body we ight dissatisfaction; (c) undue influence of body weight on self-evaluation ; (d) intense fear of gaining weight even though at or slightly below (simi lar to 5%) normal weight; (e) attempts to lose weight using one or more pat hogenic weight control methods; (g) food intake governed by strict dietary rules, accompanied by extreme feelings of guilt and self-hatred upon breaki ng a rule; (h) absence of medical disorder to explain energy restriction, w eight loss, or maintenance of low body weight; and (i) menstrual dysfunctio n. Awareness of these characteristics may aid in more timely identification and treatment of female athletes with disordered eating patterns and, perh aps, prevent the development of more serious, clinical eating disorders.