Comparing eating disorder characteristics and treatment in self-identified competitive athletes and non-athletes from the National Eating Disorders Association online screening tool.
OBJECTIVE
We compared eating disorder (ED) characteristics and treatment seeking behaviors between self-identified competitive athletes and non-athletes in a large, community-based sample.


METHOD
During the 2018 National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, 23,920 respondents, 14.7% of whom identified as competitive athletes, completed the National Eating Disorders Association online screen. Data were collected on demographics, disordered eating behaviors, probable ED diagnosis/risk, treatment history, and intent to seek treatment.


RESULTS
The sample was predominantly White (81.8%), female (90.3%), and between 13 and 24 years (82.6%). Over 86% met criteria for an ED/subthreshold ED, and of those, only 2.5% were in treatment. Suicidal ideation was reported in over half of the sample. Athletes reported a significantly greater likelihood of engaging in and more frequent excessive exercise episodes than non-athletes. Athletes also reported a significantly lower likelihood of engaging in and less frequent binge-eating episodes compared with non-athletes. Athletes were more likely to screen positive for an ED/subthreshold ED than non-athletes, but percentages across all probable ED diagnoses were similar. No significant differences between athletes and non-athletes emerged on treatment history or intention to seek treatment post-screen (less than 30%).


DISCUSSION
Although the distribution of probable ED diagnoses was similar in athletes and non-athletes, symptom profiles related to disordered eating behavior engagement and frequency may differ. Athletes may be less likely to seek treatment due to stigma, accessibility, and sport-specific barriers. Future work should directly connect survey respondents to tailored treatment tools and increase motivation to seek treatment.
['Flatt|Rachael E|RE|0000-0002-2661-7987', 'Thornton|Laura M|LM|', 'Fitzsimmons-Craft|Ellen E|EE|0000-0001-7064-3835', 'Balantekin|Katherine N|KN|0000-0002-6760-2714', 'Smolar|Lauren|L|', 'Mysko|Claire|C|', 'Wilfley|Denise E|DE|', 'Taylor|C Barr|CB|0000-0002-4564-6548', 'DeFreese|J D|JD|', 'Bardone-Cone|Anna M|AM|0000-0002-1855-6328', 'Bulik|Cynthia M|CM|0000-0001-7772-3264']
D056352:Athletes D056912:Binge-Eating Disorder D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008297:Male D008403:Mass Screening D013177:Sports D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
eating disorders athletes online screen treatment seeking disordered eating behaviors