Disordered Eating Attitudes in Relation to Anxiety Levels, Self-esteem and Body Image in Female Basketball Players

The purpose of the current study was to explore the possible differences in disordered eating (DE) attitudes, components of body image, self-esteem and anxiety levels in a group of female basketball players. A total of 154 women, 74 Greek basketball players (national and international level) and 80 women who were non-athletes, were recruited. Participants completed the following questionnaires: the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), the Multidimensional Body–Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale (RSE). Analysis revealed that in the group of 154 young women (athletes and non-athletes), the women with DE attitudes had higher levels of anxiety and scored significantly more in components of the body image questionnaire (MBSRQ) such as appearance orientation (p = 0.002), health evaluation (p = 0.026), health orientation (p < 0.001), and illness orientation (p = 0.003). In addition, 11% of the basketball players and 15% of the non-athletes demonstrated DE attitudes. However, the differences between the two groups were not significant. The analysis of specific components of the body image questionnaire (MBSRQ) revealed that athletes scored significantly higher in fitness orientation (p = 0.021) and fitness evaluation (p = 0.019). There were no significant differences in the STAI and RSE results between athletes and non-athletes. The prevalence of DE attitudes in female basketball players was slightly lower than that in non-athletes, but the difference was not statistically significant. More studies specifically designed to investigate DE attitudes in females involved in team sports, such as basketball, are needed.