Thesis
Examining risk and protective factors in the development of unhealthy eating behaviors in college athletes
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
May 2018
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/D8QS98
Abstract
The current study aimed to identify risk and protective behaviors for the development of unhealthy eating behaviors (e.g. disordered eating and eating behaviors that facilitate weight gain) in college freshmen athletes. Specifically, we examined: 1) if disordered eating behaviors and eating behaviors that facilitate weight gain in freshmen athletes increase over a 3-month observation period, and 2) whether specific baseline characteristics serve as either risk or protective factors in the development of disordered eating behaviors and eating behaviors that facilitate weight gain during the observation period. In our sample of 69 student athletes who completed surveys at both time points, we found overall increases in both concern about eating behaviors and engagement in healthy eating behaviors increased over the three-month time period. Many of the hypothesized risk and protective factors studied did not emerge as significant predictors of change in eating behavior, However, we did find that athletes participating in a lean sport (i.e., a sport where having a thin body is seen as a competitive advantage) were actually less likely to develop disordered eating behaviors than their peers participating in other types of sports. Higher baseline nutritional knowledge also appeared to protect against the development of eating behaviors that facilitate weight gain. Lastly, we found that wearing a uniform that increases shape or weight concern as well as participating in our "other" (non-lean, non-aesthetic, and non-weight division) category of sports were risk factors for developing disordered eating behaviors. These findings could ultimately help identify athletes at-risk for the development of both disordered eating behaviors and eating behaviors that facilitate weight gain and could inform the development of targeted preventative treatments.
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Details
- Title
- Examining risk and protective factors in the development of unhealthy eating behaviors in college athletes
- Creators
- Madeline Alexandra Lagacey - DU
- Contributors
- Adrienne S. Juarascio (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- x, 97 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 7918; 991014632727604721