Loading...
Weighing in on Eating Disorders: Collegiate Swimming Coaches' Knowledge and Attitudes Towards Eating Disorders and Unhealthy Weight Loss Behaviors in Female Athletes
Vavra, Samantha
Vavra, Samantha
Citations
Altmetric:
Genre
Thesis/Dissertation
Date
2015
Advisor
Committee member
Group
Department
Kinesiology
Permanent link to this record
Collections
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
DOI
http://dx.doi.org/10.34944/dspace/3977
Abstract
This study examined collegiate swimming coaches' knowledge and attitudes towards eating disorders and unhealthy weight loss practices within their athletes along with their perceptions of sport specific pressures in swimming. I used a modified version of the 2003 NCAA Questionnaire for Collegiate Coaches of Female Student-Athletes developed and utilized by Sherman, Thompson, Dehass, and Wilfret. I used email to distribute the link to an online version of the survey, and used SPSS to analyze the data. The results suggest that NCAA Division I, II, and III collegiate swimming coaches are aware of the prevalence along with the fact that that athletes do participate in unhealthy weight loss practices and suffer from eating disorders. This study suggests that many coaches are knowledgeable about this topic, but I was unable to conclude whether swimmers experience sport specific pressures that put them at higher risk for or lead to eating disorders. Both participant gender and NCAA division coached were found to present statistically significant differences in survey responses. Despite results being statistically significant, results are consistent with previous research examining eating disorders in sport. Results were not able to conclude if swimmers experience sport specific pressures leading to the development of eating disorders. It is hoped that future research will continue to examine the link between specific sports and the development of ED, as well as focus on providing coaches with more knowledge and education on this topic.
Description
Citation
Citation to related work
Has part
ADA compliance
For Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodation, including help with reading this content, please contact scholarshare@temple.edu