The Self-Regulation of Eating Attitudes in Sport Scale: Defining an Optimal Regulation Zone.

This study examines the hypothesis of a Zone of Optimal Regulation of Eating Attitudes in Sport (ZOREAS). The ZOREAS refers to a band, or zone within which athletes are most likely to optimize eating attitude regulation which should be associated with a low level of disordered eating. Scores outside this zone indicate a risk factor for eating disorders. One hundred and eleven volunteer athletes were recruited. Two variables were assessed: self-regulation of eating in sport, and eating attitudes and behaviors, measured with the French Self-Regulatory Eating Attitude in Sports Scale (SREASS), and the French version of the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT), respectively. Correlational analyses and an ANOVA were run. As expected, we observed a negative relationship between scores for the self-regulation of eating, and disordered eating attitudes in the sports context. To better-determine the ZOREAS, we ran a one-way ANOVA, which was significant for disordered eating attitudes. The plot of the interaction confirmed three trends: a high level of disordered eating attitudes (EAT scores over 20) is associated with a high level of self-regulation of eating attitudes (SREASS scores over 24); a medium level of disordered eating attitudes is associated with a low level of self-regulation of eating attitudes (SREASS scores under 19); a low level of disordered eating attitudes is associated with a medium level of self-regulation of eating attitudes (SREASS scores between 19 and 24). Thus, the ZOREAS was determined to be SREASS scores within the range 19-24. The ZOREAS may be useful to sports psychology practitioners who work with athletes.