Energy Balance, Eating Disorder Risk, and Pathogenic Behaviors Among Athletic Trainers

Context Research exists on energy balances (EBs) and eating disorder (ED) risks in physically active populations and occupations by settings, but the EB and ED risk in athletic trainers (ATs) have not been investigated. Objective To assess ATs\u27 energy needs, including the macronutrient profile, and examine ED risk and pathogenic behavioral differences between sexes (men, women) and job statuses (part time or full time) and among settings (college or university, high school, nontraditional). Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Free living in job settings. Patients or Other Participants Athletic trainers (n = 46; male part-time graduate assistant ATs = 12, male full-time ATs = 11, female part-time graduate assistant ATs = 11, female full-time ATs = 12) in the southeastern United States. Main Outcome Measure(s) Anthropometric measures (sex, age, height, weight, body composition), demographic characteristics (job status [full- or part-time AT], job setting [college/university, high school, nontraditional], years of AT experience, exercise background, alcohol use), resting metabolic rate, energy intake (EI), total daily energy expenditure (TDEE), EB, exercise energy expenditure, macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein, fats), the Eating Disorder Inventory-3, and the Eating Disorder Inventory-3 Symptom Checklist. Results The majority of participants (84.8%, n = 39) had an ED risk, with 26.1% (n = 12) engaging in at least 1 pathogenic behavior, 50% (n = 23) in 2 pathogenic behaviors, and 10.8% (n = 5) in \u3e2 pathogenic behaviors. Also, 82.6% of ATs (n = 38) presented in negative EB (EI \u3c TDEE). Differences were found in resting metabolic rate for sex and job status (F1,45 = 16.48, P = .001), EI (F1,45 = 12.01, P = .001), TDEE (F1,45 = 40.36, P \u3c .001), and exercise energy expenditure (F1,38 = 5.353, P = .026). No differences were present in EB for sex and job status (F1,45 = 1.751, P = .193); χ2 analysis revealed no significant relationship between ATs\u27 sex and EB (⁠χ1,462= 0.0, P = 1.00) and job status and EB (χ21,46 = 2.42, P = .120). No significant relationship existed between Daily Reference Intakes recommendations for all macronutrients and sex or job status. Conclusions These athletic trainers experienced negative EB, similar to other professionals in high-demand occupations. Regardless of sex or job status, ATs had a high ED risk and participated in unhealthy pathogenic behaviors. The physical and mental concerns associated with these findings indicate a need for interventions targeted at ATs\u27 health behaviors