Eating attitudes among college athletes and non-athletes

The purpose of this study was to examine eating attitudes among college student athletes and student non-athletes. Specifically, the researcher examined participant's scores on the EAT-26 and prevalence based on gender, athlete status, and sport type. Participants (N=137) for this study were recruited from a research pool consisting of students enrolled in psychology courses. Student-athletes were also accessed via the research pool as well as by approaching each team's coaching staff requesting their athletes' participation in the study. Of the total sample (N=137) 121 participants (88.3%) scored below the EAT-26 cut-off score of 20. The remaining 16 participants (11.7%) scored above the EAT-26 cut-off score of 20.Research findings revealed that 97 participants reported themselves as student-athletes and 40 reported themselves to be student non-athletes. Of the student non-athlete sample, 6 of the participants (15%) scored above the EAT-26 cut off score. Of the student-athlete sample, 10 of the participants (10.3%) reported scores above the EAT-26 cut off. There was no significant difference based on athlete status (p > .05). The study showed 98 females and 39 males participated. There was no significant difference based on gender (p > .05). From the 39 males in the sample, 4 of them (10.2%) scored above the EAT-26 cut off score. From the 98 females in the sample, 12 of them (12.2%) scored above the EAT-26 cut off score.Of the 97 total reported athletes, 67 were grouped into a lean sport category which specified more emphasis on leanness in that sport, and 30 were grouped into a bulk sport type category in which leanness was less important as the previous group. There was no significant difference when examining sport type (p > .05). Of the high lean sport group, 9 individuals (13.4%) scored above the EAT-26 cut off score. Of the bulk group, only 1 person (3.3%) scored above the EAT-26 cut off. This research attempted to explore and support research stating that there are higher prevalence rates of eating disorders among females, among student-athletes versus student non-athletes, and among leaner sports versus less lean sports. This research has concluded there are no such significant relationships concerning the prevalence of eating disorders among gender, athlete status, and sport category.