Athletes with eating disorders: clinical-psychopathological features and gender differences

Abstract

Background: Eating disorders (EDs) in the athlete population are often discussed in terms of comparing with non-athlete samples, however little is known regarding their gender clinical differences. Therefore, this study aimed to compare clinical and psychopathological features among athletes with an eating disorder (ED+A), non-athletes with an eating disorder (ED-A) and healthy controls (HCs), in addition to observing gender differences. Methods: The sample consisted of 192 participants, all were age and gender matched, ED+A n = 64, ED-A n = 64 and HCs n = 64, with each group consisting of 50 females and 14 males. And each participant completed a face-to-face interview and various self-report questionnaires regarding personality traits (Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised), eating (Eating Disorder Inventory – 2) and general psychopathology (Symptom Checklist 90 - Revised), as well as relevant clinical indexes (lifetime suicidal attempts/ideation and sport activities conducted). Results: In the ED+A group females had significantly higher eating and general psychopathology compared to males, especially body dissatisfaction (BD) and drive for thinness (DT) (p