Examination of eating disorder risk among university marching band artists

Abstract

Background Marching band artists are a physically active population, composed of approximately 27,000 people in the United States. University marching band artists face many of the same physically active demands and mental stressors as student athletes, potentially predisposing them to injury, illness, and risk for eating disorders (EDs). The purpose of this study was to examine ED risk across sex in university marching band artists, and to determine the type of risk based on the Eating Disorder Inventory-3 (EDI-3) and Eating Disorder Inventory-3 Symptom Check List (EDI-3 SC). A secondary aim examined marching band artists and pathogenic weight control behavior use across sex. Methods This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 150 marching band artists (female: n = 84, male: n = 66, age = 19.9 ± 1.1 years) from three National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I university marching bands participated in the study. We screened for ED risk using the EDI-3, and the EDI-3 SC. Results Overall, marching band artists were at risk for EDs, using only the EDI-3, 45.3% (n = 68) were at risk, with females at significant higher risk than males [χ2 = 5.228, p = .022]; using only the EDI-3 SC, 54% (n = 81) were at risk and no significant differences were found across sex. Overall, 48% of all participants reported dieting and 20.7% engaged in excessive exercise to control weight. Significant differences were found between sex and purging to control weight [χ2 = 3.94, p = .047] and laxative use [χ2 = 4.064, p = .044], with females engaging in behavior more than males. Conclusions Eating disorder risk was prevalent for both female and male marching band artists, with females displaying higher risk for EDs than males. Furthermore, marching band artists are engaging in pathogenic behaviors to control their weight. Healthcare providers (e.g., physicians, athletic trainers, physical therapist, dietitians, etc.) working in this setting should be aware of the risk factors displayed in marching band artists, and be able to provide education, prevention, and clinical interventions to this population. Additionally, marching band administrators should be aware of all medical risk factors and the benefit of having a healthcare provider (e.g., athletic trainer) to oversee the healthcare and wellness of marching band artists.

Examination of the Prevalence of Female Athlete Triad Components among Competitive Cheerleaders

“…When compared to other aesthetic sports, our findings are similar to results of literature focused on modern dancers (45%) [62] and equestrian athletes (42%) [52]. Band artists and cheerleaders are comparable due to both activities being involved in college athletics but often not receiving healthcare oversight or research focus [58]. The ED risk in these often-understudied populations was 70.7% for band artists [58] and 29.7% for auxiliary units (color guard, dance members, and majorettes) [63].…”

“…Overall prevalence of ED risk varies when examining athletes compared to non-athletic controls, with 18-20% of athletes and 5-9% non-athletes demonstrating ED behaviors [56,57]. This difference has become greater over the last decade with athletic population ED prevalence increasing approximately 10% [57][58][59][60][61]. When compared to other aesthetic sports, our findings are similar to results of literature focused on modern dancers (45%) [62] and equestrian athletes (42%) [52].…”

“…The current study findings demonstrate that cheerleaders present with higher rates than college athletes for dieting (52.6% vs. 15.6%) and laxative use (10.5% vs. 1.5%), similar rates for purging (5.3% vs. 2.9%), but lower rates for binge eating (0% vs. 18.6) [57]. When further examining uncommon populations within the literature, these pathogenic behaviors were also present among female body builders [67], band artists [58], and color guard members and majorettes [63]. In collegiate cheerleaders, lower rates were found for binge eating (0% vs. 11.8%), vomiting (5.3% vs. 9.6%), and use of laxatives (10.5% vs. 19.9%) when comparing the current study with previous cheer literature.…”

“…Band artists and cheerleaders are comparable due to both activities being involved in college athletics but often not receiving healthcare oversight or research focus [58]. The ED risk in these often-understudied populations was 70.7% for band artists [58] and 29.7% for auxiliary units (color guard, dance members, and majorettes) [63]. However, these studies utilized a different method for ED risk identification (i.e., the EDI-3 vs. the Eating Attitudes Test-26).…”

The “Custrac Model”: Its Generic Practicality with a Twist in the Ghanaian Education

“…The strength of the faculty (Bowker, 2021) cannot be left out as it serves as a conduit for attracting students. Statistically, the evidence further shows that student enrolment keeps on tumbling by 2% each academic year (Uriegas et al, 2021) notwithstanding the effort made by the university management. Prominent among these causes is that: first, most of the universities are bankrupt when it comes to relationship construction with their current and prospective students (Dixon et al, 2021).…”