Prevalence of disordered eating in national-level rugby: a mixed-methods study of male and female players in England
Rattachement africain : gb, Afrique du Sud, au. Niveau de preuve : code pays fourni par la source.
Le résumé fourni par la source
Athletes are recognised as being at elevated risk of disordered eating (DE), with particularly high prevalence observed in ‘weight-sensitive’ sports. However, limited research has examined this issue within contact sports such as rugby, where unique physical demands and cultural norms may shape eating behaviours differently. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, characteristics, and contextual drivers of DE among national-level male and female rugby union and rugby league players in England. A mixed-methods, cross-sectional design was employed utilising an online questionnaire, incorporating the Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire (EDEQ), the Muscularity Orientated Eating Test (MOET) and open-ended qualitative questions. Participants ( n = 182) included current players from Premiership Women’s Rugby, Gallagher Premiership, Women’s Super League, and Men’s Super League. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and non-parametric statistics and qualitative responses underwent reflexive content analysis. Data from the EDEQ showed 28% of female and 9% of male players exceeded clinical thresholds for DE, with the highest prevalence among front-row forwards and players with a self-reported body mass index of >25 kg/m². Muscularity-oriented DE was similar in both sexes (MOET mean scores: females = 13.8; males = 13.0). Athletes reported DE behaviours including binge eating (40% of participants), compulsive exercise (33%), vomiting (2%), and laxative use (1%). Qualitative findings revealed a perceived link between body composition and performance, with 82% of players attempting to manipulate their bodies in the previous 12 months. 63% of players reported pressure to change their body composition, commonly driven by coaches (17%) or intrinsic motivations (16%). 44% experienced body-related comments in the rugby setting, frequently perceived as insults/jokes (19%), with players reporting emotional distress in response (11%). National-level rugby players – particularly females, forwards, and individuals with self-reported high-BMI – are at elevated risk for DE. The findings reveal a high-pressure sporting culture in which physical size is paradoxically required and ridiculed. To address this complex issue, comprehensive and system-wide prevention strategies are urgently needed. These include challenging harmful cultural norms, cultivating psychological safety, and prioritising the holistic health and wellbeing of players across both men’s and women’s national-level rugby.
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Le contrôle bibliographique ouvert
DOI retrouvé dans Crossref DOI retrouvé ; titre concordant.
- Titre Crossref
- Prevalence of disordered eating in national-level rugby: a mixed-methods study of male and female players in England
- Date Crossref
- 21/11/2025
- Éditeur
- Springer Science and Business Media LLC
- Type
- journal-article
Ce recoupement confirme des métadonnées liées au DOI. Il ne confirme ni la méthode ni les conclusions de l’étude, et il ne compte pas comme une seconde source scientifique indépendante.
Où se fait cette recherche
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Leeds Beckett University pays non établi dans la noticeUniversité ou école supérieure
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University of Cape Town University of Cape Town, Afrique du Sud (code pays fourni par la source)Université ou école supérieure
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The Football Association pays non établi dans la noticeOrganisation à but non lucratif
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Sports Science Institute of South Africa Afrique du Sud (code pays fourni par la source)Institution
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Australian Catholic University pays non établi dans la noticeUniversité ou école supérieure
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Carnegie School of Sport pays non établi dans la noticeUniversité ou école supérieure
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Sale Sharks Rugby Club pays non établi dans la noticeInstitution
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Faculty of Health Sciences Department of Human Biology Cape Town, Afrique du Sud (pays nommé en fin d’affiliation)Université ou école supérieure
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England Performance Unit pays non établi dans la noticeInstitution
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Premiership Rugby Limited pays non établi dans la noticeInstitution
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School of Behavioural and Health Sciences pays non établi dans la noticeUniversité ou école supérieure
Leeds Beckett University, University of Cape Town (University of Cape Town, Afrique du Sud) et The Football Association, avec 8 autres affiliations. Pays d’affiliation : Afrique du Sud.
Une affiliation ne permet pas de déduire la nationalité d’un auteur.