ABSTRACT
Research on eating disorders among female distance runners has produced a modest, but inconsistent body of findings. To unravel the confusion, we hypothesized a model whereby studies finding greater symptomatology have involved obligatory runners or elite national/international competitors. Studies not finding greater symptomatology have involved a more typical group of athletes. To test our hypothesis, we used the Eating Disorders Inventory-2 (EDI-2) to compare 20 typical female collegiate distance runners to 35 female undergraduate psychology students. Comparisons were also made with norms in the EDI-2 Manual. Consistent with our model, the distance runners showed no enhanced symptomatology. Indeed, they seemed to be comparatively healthy. Operational definitions to further test the model are discussed.
