EFFECTS OF TRAINING PERIOD ON DISORDERED EATING IN TRIATHLETES

For athletes, there has been little research done on the prevalence of eating disorders or disordered eating. However, from what has been researched, it suggests that athletes may be at a higher risk for the development of an eating disorder than non-athletes, especially those competing in leanness-focused sports (Thiemann, et al., 2015; Byrne & McLean, 2001; Sundgot-Borgen & Torstveit, 2004; Smolak, Murnen, & Ruble, 2000; Byrne & McLean, 2002; Pasman & Thompson, 1988). Additionally, female athletes have been seen to be at the greatest risk for disordered eating, though the rates in male athletes are on the rise (Glazer, 2008; Pasman & Thompson, 1988; Greenleaf, Petrie, Carter, & Reel, 2009). What has not been studied, however, is the relationship between where an athlete is in their training cycle and their disordered eating. The present research study will examine whether there is a relationship between training period (off-season, before a big race, after a big race) and disordered eating patterns among triathletes. The current study takes approximately thirteen triathletes, both male and female, elite and non-elite, and looks at their eating behaviors and attitudes at those three time points.