Factors Associated with Disordered Eating Behaviors among Triathletes

CONTEXT: Although there is little data currently available concerning the primary factors associated with disordered eating behaviors among triathletes, these athletes may be at greater risk. Sports medicine professionals are in a unique position to identify athletes with disordered eating risks. METHODS: The purpose of this cross-sectional survey study was to identify the prevalence of disordered eating attitudes and behaviors among a national convenience sample of triathletes. A secondary purpose was to identify “triathlon-specific factors” and “competitive athlete-factors” potentially associated with disordered eating behaviors. The authors hypothesized that certain triathlon-specific factors and competitive athlete factors would be associated with increased rates of self-reported disordered eating behaviors. RESULTS: In a respondent sample of 1,033 adults, multiple competitive athlete factors were associated with a higher risk for disordered eating, whereas triathlon-specific factors were not. CONCLUSIONS: In this study sample, disordered eating was not specifically associated with triathlon-specific factors. Rather, disordered eating behaviors were found to be more often associated with associated competitive athlete factors, particularly in the many leanness sports such as running.