There has been concern expressed that participation in sport may encourage the onset of disordered eating which, in turn, may lead to a clinical eating disorder. This study examined social pressure, self-esteem, body image, and competition anxiety as risk factors for disordered eating in female university level athletes from selected sports. In addition, the relationships of body fat percentage and body mass index to indicators of disordered eating were studied. Canonical correlations showed significant relationships between restrained eating and all the risk factors as well as a significant relationship between high body mass index and restrained eating. Individual regression analysis showed that restrained eating was significantly predicted by body image and social pressure. Emotional eating was significantly predicted by body image. There were no significant differences apparent in the symptoms for eating disorders among the various sport teams. It was concluded that psychological predisposing factors to eating disorders do occur in athletes but more research is needed to identify the extent of the interrelationship between the variables. It was shown that all athletes, regardless of sport, could be considered at risk if the predisposing factors identified in this research are present. Finally, it is recommended that more research be undertaken to examine the role of coaches and peers in the development of disordered eating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]