Abstract

Clinical observations indicate a prevalence between 15 and 70% for eating disorders among athletes. More specifically, eating disorders occur most frequently among female athletes in the sports such as ballet, bodybuilding, diving, figure skating, cheerleading and gymnastics. The Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) was the screening instrument used in the 1998 National  Eating Disorders Screening Program, and is probably the most widely used standardized measure of symptoms and concerns characteristic of eating disorders. Studies have shown that the EAT-26 can be an efficient screening instrument as part of a two-stage screening process in which those who score at or above acute-off score of 20 are referred for a diagnostic interview. 26 athletes (16 women and 10 men) were recruited for this study.  Height, current weight body mass index (BMI) were determined. The Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) for Eating Disorders was completed. Results were compared with measurements in 18 nonathletic subjects (12 women and 6 men). The prevalence of eating disorders among athletes was 23.07% (5 women and 1 men). Of the 26 athletes, 6 scored hinger on EAT (average score 30.21, BMI 21.91 kg/m2) than the remaining 20 athletes, whose score averaged 7.12 (BMI 23.62 kg/m2).  The prevalence of eating disorders among nonathletic subjects was 11.11% (2 women).  For 4 athletes disordered eating patterns coincide with the competitive season. 2 athletes develop a clinical eating disorder and needs cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal psychotherapy and pharmacologic treatment. The EAT-26 score at or above of 20 needs expertise in eating disorders, and nutrition.