Author Identifier

Colin S. Doherty

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3589-7490

Lauren V. Fortington

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2760-9249

Oliver R. Barley

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8543-9818

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Title

Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport

Publisher

Elsevier

School

School of Medical and Health Sciences

RAS ID

71186

Comments

Doherty, C. S., Fortington, L. V., & Barley, O. R. (2024). Prevalence of disordered eating and its relationship with rapid weight loss among male and female combat sports competitors: A prospective study. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 27(11) 745-752. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2024.06.007

Abstract

Objectives:

To compare prevalence and change scores of disordered eating (DE) in combat sport athletes by sex and explore the potential relationship between rapid weight loss (RWL) and DE scores.

Design:

Prospective study based on 24 events (September 2022–2023).

Methods:

A body mass (BM) questionnaire was completed at ~ 1 day post-competition providing pre-competition BM data for − 7 days, − 24 h, and weigh-in. The Athletic Disordered Eating (ADE) online questionnaire was completed at ~ 7 and ~ 28 days post-competition, providing overall DE and four subscale scores (food and energy control, bingeing, body control, and body discontent).

Results:

There were 122, 132, and 89 respondents for the BM (77 % male), and ADE questionnaires at 7 (79 % male), and 28 days (74 % male). A large proportion of males' (83 %) and females' (89 %) DE scores were moderate to very high; minimal (17 % vs. 11 %), moderate (36 % vs. 32 %), high (37 % vs. 36 %), and very high (11 % vs. 21 %). Comparing DE change scores in males and females indicated deterioration (5 % vs. 0 %), improvement (3 % vs. 25 %, p = 0.013), and no difference (92 % vs. 75 %). Body discontent change score showed a significant sex difference (p = 0.014), with females improving (42 % vs. 17 %, p = 0.035) and males deteriorating (35 % vs. 4 %, p = 0.008). Correlation analyses were significant for RWL − 7 days and males' food control score (R = 0.22, p = 0.031).

Conclusions:

Moderate to very high DE indications were identified in 4 of every 5 combat sport competitors. A sex-specific change in body discontent is evident, and most competitors struggle with their food–body relationship post-competition, irrespective of RWL magnitude.

DOI

10.1016/j.jsams.2024.06.007

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

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