Weight perception in female athletes: Associations with disordered eating correlates and behavior

Although weight perception is associated with disordered eating correlates and unhealthy eating behavior, it is unclear whether these associations exist in specific female populations at greater risk of disordered eating (i.e., athletes). The aim of this study was to examine associations between weight perception and disordered eating correlates (perfectionism and social physique anxiety (SPA)) and eating behavior in female athletes. Measures of perfectionism (positive and negative), SPA, weight perception and disordered eating were completed by 136 female elite athletes. Athletes with overweight perceptions reported greater negative perfectionism, higher SPA and more disordered eating behavior than female athletes with normal-weight perceptions. Overweight perceptions are, therefore, an additional factor to consider in the relationship between perfectionism, physique anxiety and disordered eating in female athletes.

Research Highlights►A quarter of female athletes perceive themselves to be overweight. ►Those with overweight perception report higher negative perfectionism and SPA. ►Overweight perception is linked to higher disordered eating in female athletes.