Parental influence on disordered eating habits of female adolescents who participate in aesthetic sports versus nonaesthetic sports

This study examined the relationship between the disordered eating patterns in female adolescents who are associated with the family environment and sport affiliation. More specifically, this study explored the relationship between the athlete's participation in aesthetic sports (ballet, gymnastics, cheerleading, etc.) versus nonaesthetic sports (soccer, basketball, softball, etc.) and how that choice plays a role in disordered eating patterns when parental control is also examined.; The primary analysis of the specific research hypotheses included independent sample t tests, correlation, and regression analyses. The participants in this study included 28 female adolescent athletes in the following sports: gymnastics, cheerleading, Irish dance, track and field, water polo, basketball, swimming, and soccer. Athletes were mailed (n = 22) or were directly handed (n = 6) questionnaire packets that included the following: a demographic questionnaire, the Eating Disorder Inventory-3 (EDI-3), and the Family Assessment Measure-III (FAM-III). The most involved parent/guardian of these athletes was also included in this study (n = 28).; Findings included a positive correlation between parent- and adolescent-rated control and rate of disordered eating patterns regardless of participation in either an aesthetic or nonaesthetic sport. Findings also included a positive correlation between perceived parental control and perceived adolescent control.