Eating Disorders in High School Equestrian Athletes
School Name
Chapin High School
Grade Level
11th Grade
Presentation Topic
Physiology and Health
Presentation Type
Non-Mentored
Abstract
In recent years, the prevalence of eating disorders among female athletes has significantly increased. This is evidenced by the National Eating Disorder Association’s research where it was concluded that over one third of NCAA D1 female athletes have reported a negative relationship in regards to eating (NEDA, 2021). A gap in this research that can be filled is specifically focusing on a certain female dominated sport, such as equestrian. There is a gap in similar research when it comes to the age group of athletes and there is a lack of research that predominantly focuses on high school equestrian athletes. This study was conducted by modifying the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) and posting the test online for junior members of the equestrian community, who compete in either the equitation or the hunter divisions, to complete. It was hypothesized that if riders compete in the equitation then they will have a higher score on the EAT-26 test than riders that compete in the hunters due to the different judging standards of each division. The results were analyzed comparing scores of equitation riders (judged on rider) and hunter riders (judged on horse) with a two sample t-test. The results of the two sample t-test yielded a p-value of 0.000 which suggests that the conclusions of the hypothesis were highly significant. A further gap that could be addressed with future research could be comparing junior equitation riders to adult equitation riders.
Recommended Citation
Bauknight, Abby, "Eating Disorders in High School Equestrian Athletes" (2022). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 63.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2022/all/63
Location
N/A
Start Date
4-2-2022 9:00 PM
Presentation Format
Written Only
Group Project
No
Eating Disorders in High School Equestrian Athletes
N/A
In recent years, the prevalence of eating disorders among female athletes has significantly increased. This is evidenced by the National Eating Disorder Association’s research where it was concluded that over one third of NCAA D1 female athletes have reported a negative relationship in regards to eating (NEDA, 2021). A gap in this research that can be filled is specifically focusing on a certain female dominated sport, such as equestrian. There is a gap in similar research when it comes to the age group of athletes and there is a lack of research that predominantly focuses on high school equestrian athletes. This study was conducted by modifying the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) and posting the test online for junior members of the equestrian community, who compete in either the equitation or the hunter divisions, to complete. It was hypothesized that if riders compete in the equitation then they will have a higher score on the EAT-26 test than riders that compete in the hunters due to the different judging standards of each division. The results were analyzed comparing scores of equitation riders (judged on rider) and hunter riders (judged on horse) with a two sample t-test. The results of the two sample t-test yielded a p-value of 0.000 which suggests that the conclusions of the hypothesis were highly significant. A further gap that could be addressed with future research could be comparing junior equitation riders to adult equitation riders.
