Use of the eating disorder inventory in determining eating disorder tendencies among runners

The purpose of this study was to use the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI), Negative Addiction Scale (NAS) and other measured characteristics to determine differences between consistent runners and sedentary controls. 38 male and 23 female local non-team related runners of more than 9 miles per week were studied. They completed the EDI and NAS. 31 male and 30 female nonexercisers completed the EDI. They were drawn from college classes and participated in less than one hour per week of physical activity. Height, weight and body fat were determined for both groups. As compared with anorectics, none of the EDI subscale averages for runners or controls were higher than the 38th percentile. Body dissatisfaction was less for runners than controls. Females scored higher on drive for thinness and body dissatisfaction. Female runners scored significantly higher on drive for thinness than all other groups. The mean NAS score was 78 for the females and 74 for the males. Significant body dissatisfaction subscale differences found between runners and controls were probably due to the runners' lower body fat and weight. In looking at the male/female differences, females typically have a stronger concern about weight and are less satisfied with their bodies. It is believed that in the group of runners studied, severe eating disorders did not exist.