Search

Objectives The purposes of this study were to (a) examine the prevalence of disordered eating among female figure skaters, (b) compare levels of disordered eating between skaters and their same-age peers, (c) compare levels of disordered eating between elite skaters and their sub-elite counterparts, and (d) examine general and sport-related correlates of disordered eating (i.e., four sport-related weight pressures, general and sport-related body dissatisfaction, positive and negative perfectionism, self-esteem, and athletic identity). Design This study employed a cross-sectional design. Methods Participants completed paper–pencil surveys, including measures for disordered eating, four sport-related weight pressures, general and sport-related body dissatisfaction, positive and negative perfectionism, self-esteem, and athletic identity. Participants included 272 female figure skaters ages 12–25 ( M = 15.63) across five US states. Results Thirteen percent of participants scored within range of problematic eating attitudes and behaviors but were no more symptomatic than their same-age peers when compared to existing normative data. Levels of disordered eating did not significantly differ between those competing at the elite and sub-elite level. After controlling for body mass index and age, disordered eating was significantly predicted by self-consciousness of weight and appearance, general and sport-related body dissatisfaction, and positive perfectionism. Conclusions Disordered eating occurs in female figure skaters across competitive levels. Concern over weight and appearance, dissatisfaction with one's body in general and in sport, and positive perfectionism may serve as important tools in the prevention and detection of disordered eating in female figure skaters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although growing in prevalence, little is known about how and for whom sport-based positive youth development (PYD) programs make a difference. This study addresses two gaps: A lack of multi-year studies and limited research differentiating outcomes between groups of participants. Specifically, this study uses repeated measures ANOVAs and hierarchical and non-hierarchical modeling procedures to investigate outcomes among two clusters of underserved youth who participated in two consecutive LiFE sports summer camps. Two hundred and thirty one youth participated, with the majority African American (87%) and male (62%). The average age of participants was 10.71 years. Participants completed surveys to assess four skills: self-control, effort, teamwork, and transfer. Within the full sample, growth was seen over the course of each camp. Social skills returned to baseline levels between summers. Youth entering LiFE sports with high levels of social skills experienced some fluctuations but no significant changes in outcomes. Conversely, youth with relatively low social skills experienced more consistent and maintained growth between summers. Results support the positive impact of sport-based PYD programs on vulnerable youth and reiterate the need for a more complex understanding of the mechanisms affecting certain types of youth. Implications for sports-based PYD research and practice are drawn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]