Date of Award

2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Physical Education

First Advisor

Matt Green

Second Advisor

Lauren Killen

Third Advisor

Scott Lyons

Abstract

Disordered eating (DE) is primarily observed in endurance athletes and sports with aesthetics emphases. The prevalence of DE in resistance trained individuals, particularly CrossFit®, is not well understood. CrossFit® promotes a culture encouraging strong, athletic, or muscular bodies, and both CrossFit® and endurance athletes aim to achieve a low body fat percentage to improve performance. This may lead to body dissatisfaction, exercise dependence (EXD), and/or DE behaviors, which may contribute to Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs). This cross-sectional study investigated DE prevalence and relationship with EXD risk, body dissatisfaction, and fueling habits in female CrossFit® only (CO) vs. CrossFit® plus endurance (CE) athletes. Methods: Participants (n = 325) completed a Qualtrics survey comprised of the Exercise Dependence Scale (EDS-21) and the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q). Results: For the entire population, 37.2% of participants were at risk for DE, and 84.6% (n = 275) were classified as symptomatic for EXD. CO were at a significantly (p < 0.001) greater risk for DE and EXD vs. CE. Significant associations were observed for being classified as symptomatic EXD, training days per week, a desire to be more muscular, and following a specific diet pattern to achieve an ideal body in those at risk for DE vs. not at risk. Conclusion: With the high prevalence of DE and EXD in female CrossFit® athletes, both should be considered an important step of the initial screening process for REDs.

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