Significance: The construct of perfectionism has been linked with eating disorders although the relationship remains unclear. Female athletes are at heightened risk of disordered eating behaviors, and perfectionism appears to be a central component raising the risk of disordered eating and the associated ill effects. Design: The purpose of this study was to examine perfectionism and disordered eating behaviors among athletes and nonathletes (n=134) and the relationships between these variables at a southern, public Division I university. Athletes were divided into categories based on their sport's emphasis on leanness (i.e. lean and non-lean). Women completed the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 (EDI-2), Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS-F), and a demographic questionnaire. Correlational procedures were employed using SAS procedures. The prevalence of disordered eating behaviors and perfectionistic personality traits among athletes and nonathletes were examined, as well as perfectionism and disordered eating behaviors among lean and non-lean sport athletes. Results: Results revealed that eating disorder scores were highly correlated with five subscales of the perfectionism inventory among athletes (these correlations did not occur among nonathletes). Lean sport athletes had significantly higher eating disorder total scores compared to non-lean sport athletes, but they did not have significantly different perfectionism scores. These results provide valuable information for planning and implementing effective programs for athletes and indicate that the need for integrating perfectionism issues including concern over mistakes and personal standards into program content.Keyword(s): gender issues, health education college/univ, nutrition