inappropriate eating attitudes and behaviors AND ATHLETES’ PSYCHOSOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS: COMPARISON BETWEEN TWO LEVELS OF SPORT PRACTICE
The aim of this study is to compare inappropriate attitude and eating behaviors (IAEB) and psychosocial characteristics - physical social anxiety, physical self-perceptions, perceived pressure to be thin - between two levels of sport practice (intensive and recreational). A set of questionnaires was completed by 146 French adolescents. Results indicate that compared to recreational athletes, those training at an intensive level are more likely to resort to IAEB. Moreover, elite athletes also suffer more from body dissatisfaction and social physical anxiety, are less satisfied with their physical appearance, and are feeling more pressure to be thinner.