36th Annual Student Research Conference
The Influence of Diet Culture on College Athletes
Brynn A. Sprague
Dr. Rolena Stephenson, Faculty Mentor
The purpose of this study was to identify whether there is a relationship between diet culture and preoccupation with eating, body shape, and weight in college athletes at a university in the Midwest. An online survey was sent to 347 student athletes. A response rate of 26% was achieved. Results showed that 25% of respondents had used a diet plan not prescribed by a health professional in the past year. The median ratings for positive experiences and benefits based on these diets from non-health professionals were 3 and 4, respectively, on a 5-point scale. For the EAT-26 questionnaire questions, answers rarely or never were always the majority answer, demonstrating low preoccupation with thoughts of eating, weight, or shape during participants’ sport’s season.
Keywords: student athlete, eating, weight, body shape, diet culture, college
Topic(s):Health Science
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Session: 304-3
Location: SUB Georgian Room C
Time: 1:45