Spanish high level handicapped sportsmen and eating disorders: are they at risk?.

Abstract

Background: Eating disorders have an important effect on health and sport performance. Nevertheless, it is not clear whether the sport practice acts as a risk factor or a protective factor for eating disorders. Aim: To examine the risk of eating disorders in Spanish disabled high level sportsmen and sportswomen. Methods: The Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) was performed in 60 physical or visual disabled subjects who belonged to Paralympics or Promising youngster teams. Results: Low rates for eating disorders risk were found. Only one subject was considered at risk. Multiple regressions análisis performed with the complete sample revealed no associations between gender, type of handicap, and sport category and EAT-26. Conclusion: Controlling gender effect, visual impairment was related to EAT-26 score in women.

Keywords

• EAT-26
• disabled athletes
• Paralympics