Larrinaga García, BeñatBorrajo, ErikaMuñoz Pérez, IkerUrquijo Cela, ItziarGarcía Rodríguez, AnaArbillaga Etxarri, Ane2024-11-062024-11-062024-06-14Larrinaga, B., Borrajo, E., Muñoz-Perez, I., Urquijo, I., Garcia-Rodríguez, A., & Arbillaga-Etxarri, A. (2024). Eating disorder symptoms and weight pressure in female rowers: associations between self-concept, psychological well-being and body composition. Journal of Eating Disorders, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/S40337-024-01033-92050-297410.1186/S40337-024-01033-9http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14454/1677Background: Female rowers may be at risk of eating disorders and high weight pressure. Aim: The purpose of the study was to investigate the prevalence of disordered eating symptoms and weight-related pressure and the associations with self-concept, psychological well-being, socio-demographic data, experience, performance level and body composition in female fixed-bench rowers. Methods: Female rowers (n = 208; age ranged mean ± SD 23.6 ± 6.5 years) completed the SCOFF scale, Weight-Pressures in Sport-Females (WPS-F), Physical Self-Concept Questionnaire and the Ryff scales of psychological well-being and provided information on their experience and level of competition. In a subgroup of 115 athletes, body composition was assessed using bioimpedance. Results: It was found that 42.3% of the athletes scored ≥ 2 on SCOFF and mean ± SD value of WPS-F score was 3.65 ± 0.82. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that self-concept of strength and pressure from teammates and the uniform were associated with higher ED symptoms, whereas better psychological well-being in terms of autonomy, self-concept of attractiveness, and age were protective factors for ED symptoms. BMI, athletes’ physical condition, strength, and experience were associated with more weight-related pressure and better self-concept of attractiveness and physical well-being of autonomy were significantly associated with less pressure. In body composition analysis, higher extra cellular water, self-acceptance, and physical condition were associated with more weight-related pressure in female rowers, being attractiveness and the environmental mastery protective elements. Conclusions: The prevalence of ED symptomatology and weight-related pressure are high in female fixed bench rowing. The psychological factors of well-being and self-concept, team environment, body image concerns and body composition analysis should be considered to promote healthy eating behaviours in female rowers.eng© The Author(s) 2024Body compositionFemalePrevalencePsychological well-beingRowing eating disorder symptomsSelf-conceptWeight pressures in sportjournal article2024-11-06