Disordered eating behaviors and perfectionist traits in track and field athletes

Abstract

The aim of the study was to analyze the influence of perfectionism in disordered eating behaviors of track and field adolescent female athletes. Fifty-two track and field athletes of clubs in the city of São Paulo/SP aged between 12 and 17 years were participants. We used the subscales of the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) and the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS) to assess disordered eating behaviors and perfectionist traits, respectively. We conducted stepwise linear multiple regression to analyze the influence of perfectionism on disordered eating behaviors. The results indicated the influence of MPS on subscale Diet scores (F(1. 44) = 5.74; p = 0.05) and Oral Self-control (F(1. 44) = 6.13; p = 0.04) the EAT-26. However, there was not an impact of MPS on subscale Bulimia and Food Concern scores (F(1. 44) = 1.26; p = 0.22). Thus, it is assumed that the track and field athletes with perfectionist traits may be more susceptible to dietary restriction and environmental influence food intake.