Eating Patterns, Physique Anxiety, and Body Composition of Male High School Wrestlers Pre-Season and Competitive Season

JoAnn C. Hite

Date of Graduation

Spring 1999

Degree

Master of Science in Education in Secondary Education in Physical Education

Department

Kinesiology

Committee Chair

Barbara Bushman

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to compare pre-season (T1) and competitive season (T2) eating (cognitive and behavioral) patterns, body composition, and physique anxiety in wrestlers. Stixty high school wrestlers drawn from the southwest Missouri area completed the study. Each participant completed the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI-2) and a Social Physique Anxiety Questionnaire (SPAS) during T1 and T2. After completion of the questionnaires, body composition was determined using skinfold measures. Paired t-tests were used to compare the T1 and T2 dependent variables (EDI-2 sub-scales, SPAS, and body fat percentage). For all t-tests an alpha level of p < 0.0038 was established (Bonferroni correction). No significant differences were found between T1 and T2 for any of the EDI-2 subscales: drive for thinness (P = 0.07), bulimia ( P= 0.47), body dissatisfaction (P = 0.88), ineffectiveness (P = 0.02), perfectionism (P = 0.16), interpersonal distrust (P = 0.06), interoceptive awareness (P = 0.04), maturity fears (P = 0.84), asceticism (P = 0.17), impulse regulation (P = 0.97), and social insecurity (P = 0.66). No significant differences were found in the Social Physique Anxiety Scale (SPAS) between T1 and T2 (P = 0.88). No significant differences were found in body fat percentages T1 to T2 (P = 0.25). Thus, it appears that high school wrestlers in southwest Missouri maintained a constant body composition and eating disorder symtomatology as well as perceptions of how others perceive them during pre-season and competitive season.

Subject Categories

Health and Physical Education

Copyright

© JoAnn C Hite

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