Department of Food Technology and Quality Evaluation, Faculty of Public Health in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 41-808 Zabrze, Poland.
Department of Sport Nutrition, Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, ul. Mikołowska 72A, 40-065 Katowice, Poland.
Nutrients. 2024 Oct 14;16(20):3470. doi: 10.3390/nu16203470.
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Eating disorders (EDs) pose a significant health issue affecting athletes, with risk factors varying by sport level, sex, and social media use. This study assesses the risk of EDs among professional and amateur football players, considering these factors, and compares findings with a control group of non-athletes.
The study involved 170 participants, including non-athletes as a control group, categorized by sex and sport level. The mean age of participants was 24.3 ± 4.20, with an age range of 18-36. The Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) and body mass index (BMI) assessments were used to determine ED risk.
Results showed a higher prevalence of ED risk among professional athletes, especially women, compared to amateurs and non-athletes. Social media use and body comparisons were linked to increased ED risk, with professional athletes exhibiting higher vulnerability due to performance pressures. Women, particularly those in professional sports, showed a higher risk of EDs than men, influenced by social and aesthetic pressures.
The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions, promoting healthier body image perceptions and addressing social media's role in shaping body dissatisfaction. Psychological support and sex-specific strategies should be integrated into athlete care programs to mitigate these risks.
背景/目的：饮食失调（ED）是一个严重的健康问题，影响运动员，其风险因素因运动水平、性别和社交媒体使用而有所不同。本研究评估了职业和业余足球运动员中 ED 的风险，考虑了这些因素，并将研究结果与非运动员对照组进行了比较。
该研究纳入了 170 名参与者，包括非运动员作为对照组，按性别和运动水平分类。参与者的平均年龄为 24.3 ± 4.20 岁，年龄范围为 18-36 岁。使用饮食态度测试（EAT-26）和体重指数（BMI）评估来确定 ED 风险。
结果表明，与业余运动员和非运动员相比，职业运动员，特别是女性，ED 风险的患病率更高。社交媒体使用和身体比较与 ED 风险增加有关，职业运动员由于表现压力而表现出更高的脆弱性。女性，特别是职业运动员中的女性，比男性更容易出现 ED，这受到社会和审美压力的影响。
这些发现强调了需要进行有针对性的干预，促进更健康的身体形象认知，并解决社交媒体在塑造身体不满方面的作用。应将心理支持和性别特定策略纳入运动员护理计划中，以减轻这些风险。
