Gender Differences in Eating Disorder Risk among NCAA Division I Cross Country and Track Student-Athletes

PURPOSE: This study compared gender differences in eating disorder risk among NCAA Division I cross country and track distance running student-athletes. METHODS: Six hundred thirty-eight male and female student-athletes competing at distances of 800m or greater completed the Eating Disorder Screen for Primary Care (ESP). Scores on the ESP were used as the risk of eating disorders. RESULTS: Females screened positive at higher rates for risk of eating disorders than males on the ESP at a cutoff of 2 (sensitivity 90-100%, specificity 71%) with rates of 45.95% ± 3.03 and 13.66% ± 1.80, respectively. Females were also screened positive at higher rates than males at a stricter cutoff of 3 (sensitivity 81%, specificity 92%), with rates of 21.69% ± 2.50 compared to 4.64% ± 1.10, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study highlights that, among distance runners, both males and females are at risk of eating disorders, with females being at higher risk. It also emphasizes the need for screening for risk of eating disorders in this population.