Female Gymnasts Research Paper
Disordered Eating Behaviors and Former Female Collegiate Gymnasts
Disordered Eating Behaviors amongst Former Female Collegiate Gymnasts
I. Introduction and Theoretical Framework
Female athletes are among the most at risk part of the population for developing an eating disorder or patterns of disordered eating behaviors (Hausenblas & Carron, 2002, p.65). Added to the general populations definition of the ideal body, female athletes must attain the ideal shape their specific sport requires. Aesthetic sports such as gymnastics, figure skating, and dance require women to wear limited clothing and have set rules as to what the athlete should look like. The focus of this research will be on former female gymnasts, more specifically, former Division 1 collegiate gymnasts and their patterns of disordered eating. The prevalence of …show more content…
clinical eating disorders is relatively low compared to subclinical patterns of disordered eating exhibited by female collegiate athletes (Greenleaf, Petrie, Carter, & Real, 2009, p.489). Researching a population of former gymnasts may allow for a better understanding of the impact the sport has on the athlete.
At this time, I am unsure of the theoretical framework with which I will be working under.
I. Statement of the Problem
This research needs to be conducted because it will point out the long term effects the gymnastics environment can have on the female athlete. This research can also help to validate the need for sports psychologists in the college setting
II. Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study is to (a) determine the prevalence rate of subclinical disordered eating behaviors of former female Division 1 collegiate gymnasts, and (b) examine the levels of body dissatisfaction amongst this population.
III. Review of the Literature
In an effort to extend what is already known about disordered eating behaviors amongst female collegiate gymnasts, this study will examine those exhibited by former Division 1, female collegiate gymnasts. The goal of this study will not be to determine the prevalence of clinical eating disorders in former female collegiate gymnasts, but rather the subclinical disordered eating behaviors they may exhibit. Research suggests the prevalence rate of clinical eating disorders in female college athletes is between 0-8%, while the rates of those with subclinical symptoms is between 14-19% (Greenleaf, Petrie, Carter, & Real, 2009, p.489). One explanation for this is that the gymnasts with actual eating disorders may be too weak to perform at high levels and are unable to qualify for a collegiate team (Daughty & Hausenblas, 2005, p. 58). It is clear that female collegiate gymnasts are already under much pressure to conform to the ideal gymnast physique, and are constantly being critiqued on their appearance (Soffier, Maiano, & d’Arippe-Longueville, 2010, p. 66). Along with the attempt to conform to the ideal female body identified by the general population, a gymnast has to deal with the pressures from the sport itself, the coaches, parents, and judges. According to a study done in 2005, many coaches are uneducated about how to deal with body image issues and have even gone to the extent of advising their athletes to lose weight in order to perform better (Kerr, Berman, & DeSouza, 2006, p.37).
The amount of time a female gymnast will spend practicing can range from 25-45 hours per week, prior to entering the college setting where the NCAA sets the limit to 20 hours per week (Daughty & Hausenblas, 2005, pp.59-60). Taking into account the amount of time a gymnast will spend in the gym and the continuous effort she will make throughout her lifetime to maintain the ideal gymnast physique, it seems as if the date of her college graduation will not put an end to those preoccupying thoughts about weight.
IV. Research Question
The researchers in this study are attempting to answer questions regarding the prevalence rate of disordered eating behaviors amongst former female, Division 1 collegiate gymnasts and the question of whether or not their levels of body dissatisfaction increase or decrease as a result of retirement from the sport.
V. The Design- Methods and Procedures
A. Participants
The participants will be former female, Division 1 collegiate gymnasts, and at this time I am not sure of how many participants I need.
B. Instrumentation
I would like to administer a demographics questionnaire to answer general questions about the participants such as height and weight as well as how many participants received athletic scholarships, level of gymnastics prior to college, and race/ethnicity. After reviewing the literature, I think I will be administering the Questionnaire for Eating Disorder Diagnoses (Q-EDD) to measure eating disorder symptoms based on the DSM-4 criteria, Eating Attributes Test (EAT) to assess attitudes and behaviors related to eating disorders, and the Social Physique Anxiety Scale (SPAS) to determine levels of anxiety due to negative evaluation of one’s physique. I would also like to interview the participants to get the participants perspectives on their experiences with disordered eating after graduation.
C. Data Analysis
At this time I do not know what procedures I will use in terms of data analysis.
D. Limitations and Delimitations
Once I have a more complete understanding of the methods and procedures of this study, I will be able to clearly define the possible limitations and delimitations of my research.
VI. Significance of the Study
The results of this study have the potential to influence collegiate sports programs in general. It can lead to the implementation of body image programs for athletes, coaches, and any other staff that is involved with a particular team. Using preventative programs can help to educate the people that the athletes socialize most with and hopefully lead to a decrease in the prevalence rates of disordered eating even after graduation.
VII.
References
Doughty, J.H. & Hausenblas, H.A. (2005). A longitudinal examination of disordered eating correlates in collegiate gymnasts. Women in Sport & Physical Activity Journal, 14(1), 52-61.
Greenleaf, C., Petrie, T. A., Carter, J., & Reel, J. J. (2009). Female collegiate athletes: Prevalence of eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors. Journal of American College Health, 57(5), 489-495. doi:10.3200/JACH.57.5.489-496
Hausenblas, H. A., & Carron, A. V. (2002). Assessing eating disorder symptoms in sport groups: A critique with recommendations for future research. International Sports Journal, 6(1), 65.
Kerr, G., Berman, E., & De Souza, M. (2006). Disordered eating in women 's gymnastics: Perspectives of athletes, coaches, parents, and judges. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 18(1), 28-43.
Scoffier, S., Maïano, C., & d 'Arripe-Longueville, F. (2010). The effects of social relationships and acceptance on disturbed eating attitudes in elite adolescent female athletes: The mediating role of physical self-perceptions. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 43(1),
65-71.
Disordered Eating Behaviors amongst Former Female Collegiate Gymnasts
I. Introduction and Theoretical Framework
Female athletes are among the most at risk part of the population for developing an eating disorder or patterns of disordered eating behaviors (Hausenblas & Carron, 2002, p.65). Added to the general populations definition of the ideal body, female athletes must attain the ideal shape their specific sport requires. Aesthetic sports such as gymnastics, figure skating, and dance require women to wear limited clothing and have set rules as to what the athlete should look like. The focus of this research will be on former female gymnasts, more specifically, former Division 1 collegiate gymnasts and their patterns of disordered eating. The prevalence of …show more content…
clinical eating disorders is relatively low compared to subclinical patterns of disordered eating exhibited by female collegiate athletes (Greenleaf, Petrie, Carter, & Real, 2009, p.489). Researching a population of former gymnasts may allow for a better understanding of the impact the sport has on the athlete.
At this time, I am unsure of the theoretical framework with which I will be working under.
I. Statement of the Problem
This research needs to be conducted because it will point out the long term effects the gymnastics environment can have on the female athlete. This research can also help to validate the need for sports psychologists in the college setting
II. Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study is to (a) determine the prevalence rate of subclinical disordered eating behaviors of former female Division 1 collegiate gymnasts, and (b) examine the levels of body dissatisfaction amongst this population.
III. Review of the Literature
In an effort to extend what is already known about disordered eating behaviors amongst female collegiate gymnasts, this study will examine those exhibited by former Division 1, female collegiate gymnasts. The goal of this study will not be to determine the prevalence of clinical eating disorders in former female collegiate gymnasts, but rather the subclinical disordered eating behaviors they may exhibit. Research suggests the prevalence rate of clinical eating disorders in female college athletes is between 0-8%, while the rates of those with subclinical symptoms is between 14-19% (Greenleaf, Petrie, Carter, & Real, 2009, p.489). One explanation for this is that the gymnasts with actual eating disorders may be too weak to perform at high levels and are unable to qualify for a collegiate team (Daughty & Hausenblas, 2005, p. 58). It is clear that female collegiate gymnasts are already under much pressure to conform to the ideal gymnast physique, and are constantly being critiqued on their appearance (Soffier, Maiano, & d’Arippe-Longueville, 2010, p. 66). Along with the attempt to conform to the ideal female body identified by the general population, a gymnast has to deal with the pressures from the sport itself, the coaches, parents, and judges. According to a study done in 2005, many coaches are uneducated about how to deal with body image issues and have even gone to the extent of advising their athletes to lose weight in order to perform better (Kerr, Berman, & DeSouza, 2006, p.37).
The amount of time a female gymnast will spend practicing can range from 25-45 hours per week, prior to entering the college setting where the NCAA sets the limit to 20 hours per week (Daughty & Hausenblas, 2005, pp.59-60). Taking into account the amount of time a gymnast will spend in the gym and the continuous effort she will make throughout her lifetime to maintain the ideal gymnast physique, it seems as if the date of her college graduation will not put an end to those preoccupying thoughts about weight.
IV. Research Question
The researchers in this study are attempting to answer questions regarding the prevalence rate of disordered eating behaviors amongst former female, Division 1 collegiate gymnasts and the question of whether or not their levels of body dissatisfaction increase or decrease as a result of retirement from the sport.
V. The Design- Methods and Procedures
A. Participants
The participants will be former female, Division 1 collegiate gymnasts, and at this time I am not sure of how many participants I need.
B. Instrumentation
I would like to administer a demographics questionnaire to answer general questions about the participants such as height and weight as well as how many participants received athletic scholarships, level of gymnastics prior to college, and race/ethnicity. After reviewing the literature, I think I will be administering the Questionnaire for Eating Disorder Diagnoses (Q-EDD) to measure eating disorder symptoms based on the DSM-4 criteria, Eating Attributes Test (EAT) to assess attitudes and behaviors related to eating disorders, and the Social Physique Anxiety Scale (SPAS) to determine levels of anxiety due to negative evaluation of one’s physique. I would also like to interview the participants to get the participants perspectives on their experiences with disordered eating after graduation.
C. Data Analysis
At this time I do not know what procedures I will use in terms of data analysis.
D. Limitations and Delimitations
Once I have a more complete understanding of the methods and procedures of this study, I will be able to clearly define the possible limitations and delimitations of my research.
VI. Significance of the Study
The results of this study have the potential to influence collegiate sports programs in general. It can lead to the implementation of body image programs for athletes, coaches, and any other staff that is involved with a particular team. Using preventative programs can help to educate the people that the athletes socialize most with and hopefully lead to a decrease in the prevalence rates of disordered eating even after graduation.
VII.
References
Doughty, J.H. & Hausenblas, H.A. (2005). A longitudinal examination of disordered eating correlates in collegiate gymnasts. Women in Sport & Physical Activity Journal, 14(1), 52-61.
Greenleaf, C., Petrie, T. A., Carter, J., & Reel, J. J. (2009). Female collegiate athletes: Prevalence of eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors. Journal of American College Health, 57(5), 489-495. doi:10.3200/JACH.57.5.489-496
Hausenblas, H. A., & Carron, A. V. (2002). Assessing eating disorder symptoms in sport groups: A critique with recommendations for future research. International Sports Journal, 6(1), 65.
Kerr, G., Berman, E., & De Souza, M. (2006). Disordered eating in women 's gymnastics: Perspectives of athletes, coaches, parents, and judges. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 18(1), 28-43.
Scoffier, S., Maïano, C., & d 'Arripe-Longueville, F. (2010). The effects of social relationships and acceptance on disturbed eating attitudes in elite adolescent female athletes: The mediating role of physical self-perceptions. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 43(1),
65-71.