Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 2005; 26(6): 486-491
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-821058
Behavioral Sciences

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Disordered Eating in Japanese and Chinese Female Runners, Rhythmic Gymnasts and Gymnasts

G. Okano1 , R. A. Holmes1 , Z. Mu1 , P. Yang1 , Z. Lin2 , Y. Nakai3
  • 1Division of Exercise Science, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
  • 2Department of Sports, Beijing College of Physical Education, Beijing, China
  • 3College of Medical Technology, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted after revision: April 20, 2004

Publication Date:
10 September 2004 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Eating Attitude Test-26 (EAT-26) and self-administered questionnaires were used to survey eating attitudes and menstrual irregularity of Japanese (J) and Chinese (C) collegiate female runners (RUNs), rhythmic gymnasts (RGYMs), gymnasts (GYMs), and nonathletic controls (NAs). Athletes were recruited from several outstanding colleges for physical education and sport in each country. The prevalence of disordered eating (DE) was significantly higher in Japanese athletes (21 % in JRUNs, 19 % in JRGYMs, and 15 % in JGYMs) than Chinese athletes (4 % in CRUNs, 2 % in CRGYMs, and none in CGYMs). Also, the prevalence of amenorrhea was very low in CRUNs (1 %), CRGYMs (0 %), and CGYMs (0 %), as compared with their respective Japanese counterparts (JRUNs 22 %, JRGYMs 10 %, JGYMs 8 %). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of DE and amenorrhea between Japanese and Chinese NAs. Multivariate logistic regression analysis using 10 independent variables regarding anthropometrics, athletics, weight and diet concern, and nationality indicated that high frequency of dieting during a lifetime, high athletic level and being Japanese were significant risks for the development of DE in athletes. It is concluded that the low prevalence of DE in the Chinese in this study is partly explained by the lack of socioculturally- and socioeconomically-imposed desire to be thin as well as by the low frequency of dieting during their lifetime.

Key words

EAT-26 - disordered eating (DE) - menstrual irregularity - Japanese and Chinese female athletes

References

  • 1 American Psychiatric Association .Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 3rd ed. Washington, DC; American Psychiatric Association 1989
    Google Scholar
  • 2 Anderson A, Hay A. Racial and socioeconomical influences in anorexia nervosa and bulimia.  Int J Eat Disord. 1985;  4 479-487
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Bells K A, Menorah M M. The prevalence and consequences of subclinical eating disorders in female athletes.  Int J Sport Nutr. 1994;  4 175-195
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Brownell K D, Steen S N, Wilmore J H. Weight regulation practices in athletes: analysis of metabolic and health effects.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1987;  6 546-556
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Chen J, Shi J. Environmental and genetic factors of hyperlipidemia in athletes and coaches.  Jpn J Phys Fitness Sports Med. 1995;  44 16-26
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Drinkwater B L, Nilson D, Chesnut C H, Bremmer A J, Shainholtz S, Southworth M. Bone mineral content of amenorrheic and eumenorrheic athletes.  N Engl J Med. 1984;  311 277-281
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Dueck C A, Manore M M, Matt K S. Role of energy balance in athletic menstrual dysfunction.  Int J Sport Nutr. 1996;  6 165-190
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Garner D M, Olmstead M P, Bohr Y, Garfinkel P E. The Eating Attitude Test: psychometric features and clinical correlates.  Psychol Med. 1982;  12 871-878
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Garner D M, Olmstead M P, Polivy J. Development and validation of a multidimensional eating disorder inventory for anorexia nervosa and bulimia.  Int J Eat Disord. 1983;  2 15-34
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Garner D M, Olmstead M P, Garfinkel P E. Does anorexia nervosa occur on a continuum?.  Int J Eat Disord. 1983;  2 11-20
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Gowers S, McMahon J. Social class and prognosis in anorexia nervosa.  Int J Eat Disord. 1989;  8 105-109
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Kaiserauer S, Snyder A C, Sleeper M, Zierath J. Nutritional, physiological and menstrual status of distance runners.  Med Sci Sport Exerc. 1991;  23 15-22
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Kiernan M, Rodin J, Brownell K D, Wilmore J H, Crandall C. Relation of level of exercise, age, and weight-cycling history to weight and eating concerns in male and female runners.  Health Psychology. 1992;  11 418-421
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Lee S. How abnormal is the desire for slimness? A survey of eating attitudes and behaviour among Chinese undergraduates in Hong Kong.  Psychol Med. 1993;  23 437-451
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Lee S, Lee A M. DE in three communities of China: a comparative study of female high school students in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and rural Hunan.  Int J Eat Disord. 2000;  27 317-327
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Lee S, Kwok K, Liau C, Leung T. Screening Chinese patients with eating disorders using the Eating Attitudes Test in Hong Kong.  Int J Eat Disord. 2002;  32 91-97
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Loucks A B, Verdun M, Heath E M. Low energy availability, not stress of exercise, alters LH pulsatility in exercising women.  J Appl Physiol. 1998;  84 37-46
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Loucks A B, Laughlin G A, Mortola J F, Girton L, Nelson J C, Yen S SC. Hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroidal function in eumenorrheic and amenorrheic athletes.  J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1992;  75 514-518
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Loucks A B, Horvath S M. Athletic amenorrhea: a review.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1985;  17 56-72
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Marcus R, Cann R C, Madvig P, Minkoff J, Coddard M, Bayer M, Martin M, Gaudini L, Haskell W, Genant H. Menstrual function and bone mass in elite women distance runners.  Ann Intern Med. 1985;  102 158-163
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Myerson M, Gutin B, Warren M P, May M T, Contento I, Lee M, Pi-Sunyer F X, Bierson R N, Brooks-Gunn J. Resting metabolic rate and energy balance in amenorrheic and eumenorrheic runners.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1991;  23 15-22
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Nakamura K, Hoshino Y, Watanabe A, Honda K, Niwa A, Tominaga K, Shimai S, Yamamoto M. Eating problems in female Japanese high school students: A prevalence study.  Int J Eat Disord. 1999;  26 91-95
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Nelson M E, Fisher E C, Catosos P D, Meredith C N, Turksoy R N, Evance W J. Diet and bone status in amenorrheic runners.  Am J Clin Nutr. 1986;  43 910-916
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Okano G, Taguchi M, Mu Z, Sato Y, Kaji M, Sugiura K. A survey comparing nutritional status and exercise training programs between adolescent Japanese and Chinese athletes.  Jpn J Phys Fitness Sports Med. 1993;  42 446-454
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Picard C L. The level of competition as a factor for the development of eating disorders in female collegiate athletes.  J Youth Adolesc. 1999;  28 583-594
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Stewart D E. Reproductive functions in eating disorders.  Ann Med. 1992;  24 287-291
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 27 Sundgot-Borgen J. Prevalence of eating disorders in elite female athletes.  Int J Sport Nutr. 1993;  3 29-40
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 28 Sundgot-Borgen J. Eating disorders in female athletes.  Sports Med. 1994;  17 176-188
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 29 Sundgot-Borgen J. Risk and trigger factors for the development of eating disorders in female elite athletes.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1994;  26 414-419
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 30 Suematsu H, Takano A, Suino O, Kitagawa T, Hujita T. Validity and Reliability of the Japanese Short version of Eating Attitudes Test. Report from Reseach group of Anorexia Nervosa in the Ministry of Health and Welfare (in Japanese). Tokyo; Ministry of Health and Welfare 1985: 30-38
    Google Scholar
  • 31 Wade G N, Schneider J E, Li H Y. Control of fertility by metabolic cues.  Am J Physiol. 1996;  270 1-19
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 32 Willmore J H. Eating and weight disorders in the female athlete.  Int J Sport Nutr. 1991;  1 104-117
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 33 Williams N I, Young J C, McArthur J W, Bullen B, Skrinar G S, Turnbull B. Strenuous exercise with caloric restriction: Effect on luteinizing hormon secretion.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1995;  27 1390-1398
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 34 Williamson D A, Netemeyer R G, Jackman L P, Anderson D A, Funsch C L, Rabalais J Y. Structural equation modeling of risk factors for the development of eating disorders in female athletes.  Int J Eat Disord. 1995;  17 387-393
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 35 Zanker C L, Swaine I L. The relationship between serum oestradiol concentration and energy balance in young women distance runners.  Int J Sports Med. 1998;  19 104-108
    PubMedGoogle Scholar

G. Okano

Division of Exercise Science, Sapporo Medical University

S1W17

Sapporo 060-8556

Japan

Phone: + 810116112111 (ext. 2226)

Fax: + 81 01 16 12 58 61

Email: okano@sapmed.ac.jp

      >