Body Fatness, Body Image, and Resting Metabolic Rate in Lean and Non-Lean Collegiate Female Athletes
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Date
2012-06
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
Similar to the general population, female athletes often adopt dieting behaviors in order to attain their image of the ideal body. With the premise that restrictive eating is reflective of investment in one's appearance, many believe decreasing energy intake or increasing physical activity will help promote weight loss and lead to achievement of the ideal body. However, the metabolic influence of restrictive eating may actually work against attaining a better body composition by decreasing metabolic rate and encouraging fat storage. This study was designed to evaluate the relationship of body image with body fatness and metabolic rate in Division I intercollegiate female athletes. Female athletes from both lean and non-lean sports participated in the study; lean sports represented included synchronized swimming, swimming and crew while non-lean sports included athletes from ice hockey and soccer. Body image was evaluated using the Multi-dimensional body-self relations questionnaire (MBSRQ), Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q), Tendency to Diet Scale, and comparison of Silhouette differentials. Body fatness was estimated using the BodPod while resting metabolic rate (RMR) was estimated using a ReeVue indirect calorimeter. The questionnaire and body composition results indicated that there were no significant differences between lean and non-lean sport groups, or between individual sports. A number of significant correlations were established between body image subscales to RMR and body fatness values.
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Keywords
body image, female athletes