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objective of this study was to assess the macro- and micronutrient
intakes of men and women collegiate athletes with disordered eating
behaviors and to compare the nutrient intakes of athletes with restrictive-
versus binge-eating behaviors. National Collegiate Athletic Association
(NCAA) Division I University athletes (n = 232) were administered
an anonymous, written questionnaire to compare nutrient intakes, desired
weight change, and weight control behaviors in athletes with restrictive-
(R) and binge- (B) eating behaviors to those in asymptomatic (A) athletes.
T-tests, χ2 statistic, and ANOVA were used to test
for differences among disordered eating groups within genders (p <
0.05). Data are means ± standard error of the mean. Among men athletes,
those with disordered eating consumed a smaller percentage of energy
from carbohydrate compared to controls (R = 49.7 ± 1.5; B = 48.7 ±
2.3; A = 53.4 ± 0.7%). Among female athletes, those with disordered
eating wanted to lose a greater percentage of their current body weight
than did asymptomatic athletes (B = -6.1 ± 1.4; R = -6.7 ± 1.1; A
= -3.7 ± 0.4%). Women who were classified with binge eating consumed
significantly more alcohol than did controls (B = 6.8 ± 1.3; A = 3.9
± 0.4 g alcohol per day). Athletes with disordered eating were more
likely to report restricting their intake of carbohydrate and fat
and using supplements to control their weight than asymptomatic athletes.
Disordered eating was not associated with greater frequencies of inadequate
micronutrient intake in either gender. Athletes with disordered eating
may be at significantly greater risk for nutritional inadequacies
than athletes who are asymptomatic due to macronutrient restriction
and greater alcohol consumption.
KEY
WORDS: Eating disorder, Female Athlete Triad.
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