Key result
Six good athlete traits share similarities with personality characteristics linked to anorexia nervosa.
Why the study?
Aspects of the athletic environment may increase risk and complicate identification of eating disorders in athletes, with potential trait similarities to anorexia nervosa.
Similarities exist between 'good athlete' traits and characteristics of anorexia nervosa, which may complicate the identification of at-risk athletes.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
May complicate eating disorder detection in athletes; leaves open whether sport-specific screening improves identification.
Eating disorders are believed to be a significant problem for many athletes. It has been suggested that aspects of the athletic environment not only increase the athlete's risk of developing such a disorder, but also make identification of at-risk athletes more difficult. The literature regarding “good athlete” characteristics and the literature with respect to personality characteristics associated with anorexia nervosa were briefly reviewed. Six traits were drawn from the anorexia literature and compared with six corresponding traits from the athlete literature and athletic environment. Comparisons revealed similarities between athlete and anorexic traits. Implications regarding identification and treatment are discussed.
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Thompson et al. (1999) conducted a review in Anorexia nervosa and eating disorders in athletes. "Good athlete" traits vs. Anorexia nervosa traits was evaluated on Similarities between athlete and anorexic traits. Six 'good athlete' traits drawn from the athletic environment showed similarities to six corresponding personality characteristics associated with anorexia nervosa.
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