Abstract

To determine the use of pathogenic weight-control methods and prevalence of self-reported eating disorders (ED) among elite athletes and non-athletic controls, the Eating Disorder Intentory (EDI) and a self-developed questionnaire were administered to the total populaation of Norwegian female elite athletes (n=603) amd age- and home community-matched controls (n=522). The response rate in both athletes and controls was 68; 97 of the athletes and 90 of the controls had body mass index (BMI) values within or below the optimal level (20-25). Athletes had a significantly lower mean BMI 20.8 (95 confidence interval (CI), 20.7-20.9) than controls 21.5 (95 CI 21.3-21.7). A similar fraction of the athletes (31) and controls (27) were dieting. Most athletes dieted to enhance performance (73); most controls dieted to improve appearance (83). Significantly more athletes (11) than controls (75) used pathogenic weight-control methods. Athletes in aesthetic and endurance sports were the leanest groups, and athletes in aesthetics, endurance- and weight-dependent sports most frequently reported the use of the more severe pathogenic weight-control methods. A similar fraction of athletes (22) and controls (26) were classified as being at risk of developing ED based on the subscale scores of the EDI. However, a higher fraction of athletes in aesthetics-, endurance-, and weight-dependent sports than athletes in technical sports, ballgames, power sports and non-athletic controls were classified as being at risk of developing ED. Verf.-Ref.