CONCERNS ABOUT WEIGHT AND MENTAL HEALTH AMONG ADOLESCENT GYMNASTS: A PILOT STUDY

Casey Little; David Howell; Aubrey Armento; Amanda McCarthy; Emily Sweeney

doi:10.52165/sgj.15.2.205-212

Authors

Casey Little Children's Hospital Colorado, Sports Medicine Center
David Howell Children's Hospital Colorado, Sports Medicine Center, University of Colorado School of Medicine
Aubrey Armento Children's Hospital Colorado, Sports Medicine Center; University of Colorado School of Medicine
Amanda McCarthy Children's Hospital Colorado, Sports Medicine Center
Emily Sweeney University of Colorado School of Medicine

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52165/sgj.15.2.205-212

Keywords:

gymnastics, mental health, weight concerns, adolescence, anxiety

Abstract

Weight concerns can have an effect on gymnasts’ quality of life. We examined the association between concerns about weight with self-reported anxiety levels and other psychosocial and menstrual health characteristics among child and adolescent gymnasts. Gymnasts between 8 and 18 years old completed an online questionnaire distributed by their gymnastics clubs. They also completed the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) questionnaire. Of the 73 gymnasts who completed the questionnaire, 15% reported worrying about their weight; they were significantly older and reported higher GAD-7 scores than those who did not worry about their weight. After adjusting for the independent effect of age, worrying about weight was no longer significantly associated with GAD-7 scores (adjusted odds ratio= 1.13, 95% CI=0.98, 1.30, p=0.10), beliefs about their body size (adjusted odds ratio=6.48, 95% CI=0.84, 50.1; p=0.07), or menarche (adjusted odds ratio=0.40, 95% CI=0.04, 4.14, p=0.44). We found an association between age, anxiety, and weight concerns in child and adolescent gymnasts. Healthcare providers should screen for weight concerns and increased anxiety in older gymnasts.

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Author Biographies

David Howell, Children's Hospital Colorado, Sports Medicine Center, University of Colorado School of Medicine

ATC, PhD
Aubrey Armento, Children's Hospital Colorado, Sports Medicine Center; University of Colorado School of Medicine

MD
Amanda McCarthy, Children's Hospital Colorado, Sports Medicine Center

MS, RDN

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