Relationships Between Energy Availability, Dietary Restraint, and Body Image Concerns among Olympic Weightlifters

Authors

Hannah Parducho, California State University, Long BeachFollow
Michelle Barrack PhD, RD, CSSD, FASCM, California State University, Long BeachFollow
Joshua Cotter PhD, FACSM, CSCS, NSCA-CPT, EIM, California State University, Long BeachFollow
Virginia Gray PhD, RD, California State University, Long BeachFollow

Abstract

Athletes with low energy availability (LEA) may face reduced health and performance outcomes. Few studies have examined the energy availability (EA) of Olympic weightlifters and its relationships with nutrient adequacy, disordered eating, and body image. PURPOSE: To evaluate EA among weightlifters and to examine the relationship between LEA with dietary restraint and/or body image concerns. METHODS: Twenty-two female and 9 male adult competitive weightlifters (age 30.7 ± 9.0 years; weight 75.5 ± 16.6 kg; height 1.6 ± 0.1 m) completed an online survey. The Nutrition Screening Survey (NSS) assessed nutrient intake and EA. Athletes were classified as having EA < 30 kcal/kg FFM/d or EA ≥ 30 kcal/kg FFM/d. The Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) and Drive for Muscularity Scale (DMS) assessed dietary restraint and body image concerns. RESULTS: Female athletes with EA < 30 kcal/kg FFM/d exhibited significantly higher dietary restraint (2.23 ± 0.65) compared to those with EA ≥ 30 kcal/kg FFM/d (1.22 ± 1.20, p = .02). No significant difference in weight concern, shape concern, or drive for muscularity was observed according to EA status (EA < 30 vs. EA ≥ 30 kcal/kg FFM/d). Female weightlifters had higher weight (1.50 ± 1.49 vs. 0.53 ± 0.69; p = .02) and shape concern scores (2.22 ± 2.19 vs. 0.77 ± 0.82; p = .01) compared to male weightlifters. The drive for muscularity scores did not significantly differ between male and female weightlifters (3.63 ± 0.99 and 3.46 ± 0.72, p = .58). CONCLUSION: In female weightlifters, the relationship between dietary restraint and EA may potentially be used as a proxy to identify low EA. Further assessment of diet adequacy, dietary restraint, and body image among weightlifters is necessary.

Recommended Citation

Parducho, Hannah; Barrack, Michelle PhD, RD, CSSD, FASCM; Cotter, Joshua PhD, FACSM, CSCS, NSCA-CPT, EIM; and Gray, Virginia PhD, RD (2024) "Relationships Between Energy Availability, Dietary Restraint, and Body Image Concerns among Olympic Weightlifters," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 14: Iss. 4, Article 38.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol14/iss4/38