Data on the prevalence of eating disorders among male athletes participating in team sports were reported from Spain. The prevalence is 18.5%. Younger age and semi-professional rather than pro-level competition may be associated with the risk of eating disorders.
Is it true that the prevalence of eating disorders among male team sports athletes is low? A higher possibility has been suggested. In particular, the prevalence is said to be higher in female athletes, aesthetic sports, and sports events with weight classes. Based on this understanding, male athletes who participate in team sports are not recognized as a high-risk group for ED. However, few studies have actually examined the prevalence of ED in male team sports athletes.
The researchers of this study conducted a survey on the prevalence of ED in male team sports athletes in Spain against this background.
From January to March 2020, all team sports associations and major clubs in Spain were informed of the purpose of the survey by e-mail, requesting the cooperation of athletes affiliated with each association. Respondents were eligible to be male between the ages of 18-54 and playing team sports.
In addition to general questions (age, weight, height, body fat percentage, training volume, competition history, position, competition level), the survey items are the following 4 items.
The only screening questionnaire available in Spanish that is reliable for detecting ED in the sports field. The cut-off score is 100, and anything above 100 is likely ED.
Used to detect symptoms of anorexia nervosa. The cut-off score is 21, and anything above 21 may indicate anorexia nervosa.
The prevalence of eating disorders among male team sports athletes was 18.5%.
148 respondents responded, and 124 respondents who did not meet the exclusion criteria were analyzed. The team sport played by 124 participants was soccer, rugby, volleyball, handball, water polo, baseball, or hockey.
Median age 25 years (interquartile range 21-30), BMI 24.4 (22.6-26.6), body fat percentage 13.6 (10.0-19.7)%, training amount 8.0 (5.2-10.0) hours/hour By week, CHAD was 74.5 (59.2-91.0), EAT-40 was 9.0 (6.2-13.0), EDI-2 was 28.0 (20.0-43.0), and BSQ was 52.0 (42.0-71.0).
Evaluated as ED if one or more of the above four questionnaire cut-off points were found. As a result, the prevalence of eating disorders among male team sports athletes was calculated to be 18.5%.
Looking at the percentage of respondents who exceeded the cutoff point for each questionnaire, CHAD was the highest at 15.3%, followed by EAT-40 at 7.2%, EDI-2 at 0.8%, and BSQ. was 4.0%.
Next, we examined the factors independently associated with the prevalence of ED. As a result, the significance of the body fat percentage was p=0.06, which was slightly below the level of significance, and no independent related factor was extracted. However, in addition to body fat percentage, age and athletic level tended to differ between the ED and non-ED groups.
For example, 10% of the patients in the non-ED group were 34 years old or older, while all the patients in the ED group were 34 years old or younger, suggesting that younger patients may be at higher risk. Regarding the level of competition, the non-ED group was 13% professional, 65% semi-professional, and 23% amateur, while the ED group was 9%, 83%, and 9% in the same order. There were many semi-pro level athletes.
In terms of body composition, including body fat percentage, the ED group had a higher BMI of 25 or higher and a body fat percentage of 25% or higher.
A suitable evaluation tool for detecting ED in male athletes is needed
Based on these results, the authors conclude that ED is often considered to be low risk and is not included in studies. A non-low prevalence of ED was also demonstrated among male team sports athletes. However, regarding the fact that no significant factors related to ED risk were extracted, considering the influence of the insufficient sample size, he said, "Investigation with a larger sample is required."
Furthermore, since the ED detection rate differed greatly among the four types of questionnaires used to determine ED in this study, we concluded that "to avoid underestimation, we should specialize in ED in male athletes." It suggests the need to create a comprehensive evaluation tool.”
Reference information
The original title is "Prevalence of eating disorders on male team sports players". [BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2021 Nov 15;7(4):e001161] Click here for the original (BMJ Publishing Group Ltd & British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine)
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