Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of personality factors and body image in the study of weight preoccupation among high-performance female athletes. Multiple regression analyses indicated that a measure of subjective body size, but not actual body size (i.e. Body Mass Index) was strongly related to weight and diet concerns. As well, emotional reactivity (neuroticism) was an independent and significant predictor. Comparisons with non-athlete female university indicated that a greater number of athletes who were underweight, by objective standards, wanted to lose weight and were frequently dieting. The percentage of athletes classified as excessively weight preoccupied was also significantly greater and, indeed, comparable to other groups considered high-risk for developing eating disorders. One can conclude that there are considerable professional demands and pressure within womens sports for athletes to minimize body fat, and in many instances, to aspire to an unrealistically slender form in order to achieve aesthetic as well as for performance advantages. Verf.-Referat