Word Count - 7,812
The Mind Of Aesthetic Sports Athletes: Eating Disorders
By Chloé Chainey, 20 January 2022
Abstract
The aim of this study was to delve into the world of athletes, specifically those competing in aesthetic
sports, and their susceptibility to the development of eating disorders (ED). It was hypothesised that
those competing or aiming to compete in aesthetic sports were the most likely individuals to develop
ED. The background of this study was based on secondary data through a literature review, ensuring
variance through over 20 studies, including; causality, the difference between weight-control for
performance versus image, and the comparison between aesthetic versus non-aesthetic sport
expectations. Male and female aesthetic athletes are also collated in reference to eating disorder
vulnerability, light comparison made to those uninvolved in artistic sports. It is asked to what extent
do aesthetic sports affect the mind of an athlete when placed with sport expectations, influential
people surrounding, and a history of negative eating behaviours as well as many other factors.
Primary data was used to understand the knowledge of people through questionnaires, allowing for
anonymity. It was found that aesthetic sport athletes did in fact have a higher susceptibility to the
development of ED, though it is not only through external factors (e.g. authority figures / peers) but
internal factors also (personality traits). In this case, the hypothesis was accepted as it was found to be
true in relation to the comparison of secondary data. C.P5 C.P6
Acknowledgements
Firstly, I would like to acknowledge and express my gratitude to an old mentor, Dr A. Pink,
Department of Psychology. Her guidance and advice through previous research, in areas of
psychology, has encouraged me to pursue such a subject. Having researched areas of eating disorders
under her guidance in previous years has aided me in the completion of this paper.
I am also deeply thankful for my good friend Emily Mitchell for her suggestions and guidance
throughout the entirety of this investigation.
1
,Table of Contents
Abstract 1
Acknowledgements 1
Table of Contents 2
List of Figures 3
List of Tables 3
Aim 3
Objectives 3
Introduction 3
Hypothesis 4
Methodology 4
Results 5
Analysis of Results C.M4 6
Review of Literature 8
Discussion 12
Conclusion 15
References C.P6 16
Appendices 19
2
, List of Figures
1 - Male vs Female Question Mean Average Scores 4
2 - The No. of Participants Choosing Which ED They Think Is Most Common (A7) 4
3 - Which Gender is Most Likely To Develop an ED? (Scores of A.3.1) 4
4 - Comparison of Male and Female Percentage Scores Per Question 5
List of Tables
1 - No. of Participants Scoring A Full Score (1 Mark) On A.1 4
Aim
To understand the correlation between athletes in aesthetic/artistic sports and eating disorders.
Objectives
- Identify and explain the internal and external causes of eating disorders, both in general and
specific to the sporting environment.
- Discuss the difference between weight control for performance/nutrition and aesthetic appeal.
- Explain the effect of sports expectations concerning athletes in aesthetic or non-aesthetic sports.
- Explore the difference between males and females within the sporting environment, including
societal / performance expectations.
- Compare aesthetic and non-aesthetic sports, referring to the likelihood of eating disorder
development. C.P5
Introduction
An eating disorder is defined as “abnormal eating habits associated with a permanent worry about
weight and body image” (Aesthetic Sports As High-Risk Contexts For Eating Disorders, 2012),
although there are eating disorders in which people may gain weight instead of losing it, e.g. binge
eating disorder (BED). There is a lot of discussion on eating disorders as it’s prevalence rates have
been increasing gradually for years. It is estimated that the number of anorexia sufferers has increased
by “36 percent every five years since the 1950’s” (Abnormally Thin, no date). In addition to this,
according to ANAD (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders) statistics,
every 52 minutes at least one person suffers fatality from complications related to their eating
disorder, (Eating Disorders in Sports, 2020). The prevalence of male eating disorder development is
hardly discussed when compared to females, therefore understanding further about the difference of
effect would be an important addition to this project. The aim of this study is to recognise the
correlation between athletes in artistic sports and eating disorders through secondary research
evidence (e.g. studies and statistics), incorporating the knowledge and opinions of the general
population (through a questionnaire) to form links.
Hypothesis
Null - There will be no direct correlation between aesthetic athletes and eating disorders.
Alternative - There will be a correlation between aesthetic sport athletes and eating disorders.
Directional - Athletes competing in aesthetic sports are more likely to develop an eating disorder than
in any other sport.
3
