Background/Purpose Figure skating is often considered an “at risk” sport for body image concerns and eating disorders due to performance demands and weight-related pressures. This study examined the frequency and psychological predictors of disordered eating (e.g., body dissatisfaction, weight pressures, perfectionism, self-esteem, athletic identity) in skaters with an emphasis on females competing at the sub-elite level.
Method Six measures including the Eating Attitudes Test-26 and a series of open-ended questions were administered to male and female skaters (N=301) aged 12 to 26 (M=15.90, SD=3.24) across five states.
Analysis/Results The majority of skaters (88%) were not symptomatic of an eating disorder with most citing benefits of skating on body image, eating, and exercise. A smaller proportion (12%) scored within clinical range of an eating disorder but were no more symptomatic than their adolescent and college-aged peers when compared to existing normative data. Disordered eating did not differ by skating discipline, competitive level, or sex (p<.05). Among female sub-elite skaters, a standard multiple regression revealed that disordered eating was significantly predicted by body dissatisfaction, weight pressures, and positive and negative perfectionism (p<.05). A discriminant analysis showed that weight pressures, body dissatisfaction, negative perfectionism, and self-esteem significantly discriminated between those who did and did not score within clinical range of an eating disorder (p<.05).
Conclusions Figure skating can positively and negatively influence body image, eating, and exercise. Researchers and practitioners are encouraged to focus efforts on reducing the frequency of disordered eating while also maximizing opportunities for skaters to proactively learn healthy behaviors.