PURPOSE: To compare weight and body composition preferences and dieting behaviors used by female (F) (n=185) and male (M) (n=154) college student-athletes, age 19.5ą0.1 yr (MąSE).METHODS: An anonymous survey was used to assess weight and body composition preferences, and 17 dieting behaviors, 18 dieting methods, and 8 weight loss programs used in the past year among NCAA Division I sport programs at a single Atlantic Coast region university. RESULTS: F believed their best competition weight was 97ą1% of current weight, whereas M believed current weight was appropriate. Further, 89% of F and 92% of M were not content with their body composition; 80% of F wanted to decrease body fat and 50% to increase muscle, 52% of M wanted to decrease fat and 85% to increase muscle. The majority (80%) of F and 48% of M had used one or more dieting behaviors in the past year to lose weight, the most popular were choose low fat/fat free food alternatives (55% of total), exercise more than required for their sport (31%), consciously eat less than wanted (29%), count calories (22%), and skip meals (20%). More F than M (42% vs. 17%) used one or more methods to lose weight, the most popular included using artificial sweeteners (14%), green tea products (10%), meal replacement drinks (10%), conjugated linoleic acid (4%), energy drinks (4%), and meal replacement energy bars (4%). Diet programs were used by 25% of participants, the most popular included Subway (14%) and Special K (13%) diets. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of college athletes were discontent with their body composition and the use of dieting behaviors was prevalent among 329 NCAA Division I athletes. College athletes may benefit from education strategies that help them understand the wide range of physique that supports health and athletic endeavors. Further, sport professionals may benefit from open discussions with their athletes to establish dieting practices that support the health, well being, and athletic demands of training, recovery, and competition. Keyword(s): college level issues, nutrition, sport topics