Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects
Date of Award
Spring 4-20-2026
Document Type
Honors Paper
Degree Name
Psychology-BS
Department
Psychology
Advisor
Dr. Meredith Meyer
First Committee Member
Dr. Meredith Frey
Second Committee Member
Melissa Lusher
Keywords
eating disorder, athletics, risk factor, sport type, lean sport, non-lean sport
Subject Categories
Clinical and Medical Social Work | Clinical Psychology | Health Psychology | Higher Education | Mental Disorders | Psychology | Sports Sciences | Sports Studies
Abstract
In the current study, I compared the risk factors of disordered eating between athletes in weight dependent and non-weight dependent sports, specifically the motivating pressures to pursue this behavior. Weight dependent or “lean athletes” participate in sports with emphasis on weight, size, or bodily appearance. Non-weight dependent or “non-lean athletes” participate in sports without emphasis on weight or aesthetics, which tend to be team sports. While there are many different disordered eating risk factors in athletics, the current study focused on sport based pressures and societal based pressures. Participants included undergraduate student athletes on female athletic teams or dance minors at a Division III midwestern liberal arts university. I utilized a survey questionnaire (N = 72) as well as semi-structured interviews with selected athletes (n = 7). Results implied that disordered behavior and negative body image were prevalent in both sport types, however motivation for these behaviors differed. Lean athletes reported experiencing sport pressures whereas both lean and non-lean athletes reported experiencing societal factors. In qualitative analysis, both sport types faced sport and societal pressures. The most frequently mentioned sport pressures were team dynamics and comparison, while the most frequently mentioned societal pressures were social media and interpersonal relationships. However, lean athletes associated body image pressures with the desire to excel at their sport and non-lean athletes associated body image pressure with a desire to obtain a societally attractive body ideal.
Licensing Permission
Copyright, all rights reserved. Fair Use
Recommended Citation
Newland, Brielle G. and Meyer, Meredith, "Eating vs. Competing: Comparing Pressures of Disordered Eating in Lean and Non-lean Sports" (2026). Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects. 231.
https://digitalcommons.otterbein.edu/stu_honor/231
Acknowledgement 1
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Acknowledgement 2
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Clinical and Medical Social Work Commons, Clinical Psychology Commons, Health Psychology Commons, Higher Education Commons, Mental Disorders Commons, Sports Sciences Commons, Sports Studies Commons