ArticlePloS one2022
Weight loss practices and eating behaviours among female physique athletes: Acquiring the optimal body composition for competition.
Article in PloS one, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 17 papers.
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Who cites it
17 citing papers in PubMed, 48 citations in OpenAlex.
- Body appreciation and resilience are associated with self-esteem among women competing in fitness and bodybuilding: a cross-sectional study.Frontiers in sports and active living · 2026Article
- Digital twin for Taekwondo athletes: integrating sports nutrition and psychological readiness using artificial intelligence.Frontiers in public health · 2026Review
- Reevaluating the definition of rapid weight loss in sports: a call for change.Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition · 2025Review
- Weight loss practices in Chinese national and international-level Sanda athletes.Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition · 2025Article
- Victory above all: the weight loss practices and perceptions of Chinese male kickboxers.PeerJ · 2025Article
- Nutritional attitudes of professional women volleyball players: a cross-sectional study from Türkiye.Frontiers in nutrition · 2025Article
- The associations between calorie tracking, body image dissatisfaction, eating disorders, and menstrual cycle characteristics in resistance-trained athletes.Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition · 2024Article
- An examination of the associations between nutritional peaking strategies in physique sport and competitor characteristics.Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition · 2024Article
- Do Swedish rock-climbers exhibit more eating disorder and body dissatisfaction symptoms than non-climbers? A cross-sectional study.BMJ open · 2024Article
- Review
- A systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression of the prevalence of self-reported disordered eating and associated factors among athletes worldwide.Journal of eating disorders · 2024Article
- It's just how we do it: social processes in rapid weight loss for combat sports.Health psychology and behavioral medicine · 2024Article
- Influence of slow and rapid weight loss periods on physiological performance, mood state and sleep quality in male freestyle wrestlers: a study from Sichuan Province, China.Frontiers in psychology · 2024Article
- Article
- Dysfunctional eating attitudes and behaviors among French elite athletes: the impact of psychological characteristics and the sporting calendar.Frontiers in psychology · 2024Article
- Alterations in Measures of Body Composition, Neuromuscular Performance, Hormonal Levels, Physiological Adaptations, and Psychometric Outcomes during Preparation for Physique Competition: A Systematic Review of Case Studies.Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology · 2023Review
- Nutrition knowledge, weight loss practices, and supplement use in senior competition climbers.Frontiers in nutrition · 2023Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors at 4 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Little is known about weight loss practices and eating behaviours in female physique athletes. This study investigated the weight loss history, practices, and key influences during the pre-competition period in a large cohort of female physique athletes stratified by division and experience level. Eating attitudes and behaviours were assessed to identify whether athletes were at risk of developing an eating disorder. Using a cross-sectional research design, female physique athletes (n = 158) were recruited and completed an anonymous online self-reported survey consisting of two validated questionnaires: Rapid Weight Loss Questionnaire and Eating Attitudes Test-26. Irrespective of division or experience, female physique athletes used a combination of weight loss practices during the pre-competition phase. Gradual dieting (94%), food restriction (64%) and excessive exercise (84%), followed by body water manipulation via water loading (73%) were the most commonly used methods. Overall, 37% of female physique athletes were considered at risk of developing an eating disorder. Additionally, 42% of female physique athletes used two pathogenic weight control methods with 34% of Figure novice athletes indicating binge eating once a week or more. The coach (89%) and another athlete (73%) were identified as key influences on athletes' dieting practices and weight loss. The prevalence of athletes identified with disordered eating symptoms and engaging in pathogenic weight control methods is concerning. In future, female physique athletes should seek advice from registered nutritionists to optimise weight management practices and minimise the risk of developing an eating disorder.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.