Prevalence of eating disorders in aquatic athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract Background Aquatic athletes may face unique pressures related to body aesthetics and weight management, potentially increasing their risk of eating disorders (EDs). This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the prevalence of EDs in aquatic athletes and assess the quality of...
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BMC
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Annals of General Psychiatry |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12991-025-00564-y |
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| author | Prakasini Satapathy Swastik Subhankar Sahu Mahalaqua Nazli Khatib M. M. Rekha Mandeep Kaur Girish Chandra Sharma Puneet Sudan K. Satyam Naidu Rajesh Singh Brajgopal Kushwaha Tripti Desai Muhammed Shabil Sanjay Singh Chauhan Lokesh Verma Amritpal Sidhu Rachana Mehta Sanjit Sah Abhay M. Gaidhane Afukonyo Shidoiku Daniel Joseph Clement Chipeta Ganesh Bushi |
| author_facet | Prakasini Satapathy Swastik Subhankar Sahu Mahalaqua Nazli Khatib M. M. Rekha Mandeep Kaur Girish Chandra Sharma Puneet Sudan K. Satyam Naidu Rajesh Singh Brajgopal Kushwaha Tripti Desai Muhammed Shabil Sanjay Singh Chauhan Lokesh Verma Amritpal Sidhu Rachana Mehta Sanjit Sah Abhay M. Gaidhane Afukonyo Shidoiku Daniel Joseph Clement Chipeta Ganesh Bushi |
| author_sort | Prakasini Satapathy |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Aquatic athletes may face unique pressures related to body aesthetics and weight management, potentially increasing their risk of eating disorders (EDs). This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the prevalence of EDs in aquatic athletes and assess the quality of the available evidence. Methods A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for studies published in English that reported on the prevalence of EDs among aquatic athletes. After screening and eligibility assessments, eight studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising a total of 715 athletes from various countries, including Poland, Canada, Brazil, Norway, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Quality assessment was performed using an adapted Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS), and a random-effects meta-analysis was conducted to estimate pooled prevalence. Sensitivity analysis and a Doi plot were utilized to evaluate the publication bias. Results The meta-analysis estimated a pooled prevalence of EDs in aquatic athletes at 27.56% (95% CI: 14.27–46.50%), with a heterogeneity (I²) of 76%, indicating substantial variability in study designs and participant characteristics. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of the findings, and the Doi plot indicated significant asymmetry (LFK index = -3.44), suggesting potential publication bias or variability across studies. Conclusion This study revealed a high prevalence of EDs among aquatic athletes. Further research is required on the factors associated with these disorders. Standardized assessment tools and routine screening in aquatic sports settings are recommended to promote early detection and prevention of EDs, ultimately enhancing athlete well-being and performance. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b489715b5d444f9fa00cbe39f6d1f18a |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1744-859X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | Annals of General Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj-art-b489715b5d444f9fa00cbe39f6d1f18a2025-08-20T01:53:19ZengBMCAnnals of General Psychiatry1744-859X2025-05-0124111110.1186/s12991-025-00564-yPrevalence of eating disorders in aquatic athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysisPrakasini Satapathy0Swastik Subhankar Sahu1Mahalaqua Nazli Khatib2M. M. Rekha3Mandeep Kaur4Girish Chandra Sharma5Puneet Sudan6K. Satyam Naidu7Rajesh Singh8Brajgopal Kushwaha9Tripti Desai10Muhammed Shabil11Sanjay Singh Chauhan12Lokesh Verma13Amritpal Sidhu14Rachana Mehta15Sanjit Sah16Abhay M. Gaidhane17Afukonyo Shidoiku Daniel18Joseph Clement Chipeta19Ganesh Bushi20Center for Global Health Research, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Saveetha UniversityNoida Institute of Engineering and Technology (Pharmacy Institute)Division of Evidence Synthesis, Global Consortium of Public Health and Research, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher EducatsionDepartment of Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Sciences, JAIN (Deemed to be University)Department of Allied Healthcare and Sciences, Vivekananda Global UniversityDepartment of Applied Sciences-Chemistry, NIMS Institute of Engineering & Technology, NIMS University RajasthanDepartment of Pharmacy Chandigarh Pharmacy College, Chandigarh Group of Colleges- JhanjeriDepartment of Chemistry, Raghu Engineering CollegeUttaranchal Institute of Technology, Uttaranchal UniversityIES Institute of Pharmacy, IES UniversityNew Delhi Institute of Management, Tughlakabad Institutional AreaUniversity Center for Research and Development, Chandigarh UniversityDepartment of Orthopedic Surgery, Graphic Era Institute of Medical Sciences, Graphic Era (Deemed to be University)Centre of Research Impact and Outcome, Chitkara UniversityChitkara Centre for Research and Development, Chitkara UniversityClinical Microbiology, RDC, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and StudiesDepartment of Medicine, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth (Deemed-to-be-University)Global Health Academy, School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher EducationGlobal Health and Infectious Diseases Control Institute, Nasarawa State UniversitySchool of Social and Health Sciences, Millennium UniversitySchool of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional UniversityAbstract Background Aquatic athletes may face unique pressures related to body aesthetics and weight management, potentially increasing their risk of eating disorders (EDs). This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the prevalence of EDs in aquatic athletes and assess the quality of the available evidence. Methods A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for studies published in English that reported on the prevalence of EDs among aquatic athletes. After screening and eligibility assessments, eight studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising a total of 715 athletes from various countries, including Poland, Canada, Brazil, Norway, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Quality assessment was performed using an adapted Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS), and a random-effects meta-analysis was conducted to estimate pooled prevalence. Sensitivity analysis and a Doi plot were utilized to evaluate the publication bias. Results The meta-analysis estimated a pooled prevalence of EDs in aquatic athletes at 27.56% (95% CI: 14.27–46.50%), with a heterogeneity (I²) of 76%, indicating substantial variability in study designs and participant characteristics. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of the findings, and the Doi plot indicated significant asymmetry (LFK index = -3.44), suggesting potential publication bias or variability across studies. Conclusion This study revealed a high prevalence of EDs among aquatic athletes. Further research is required on the factors associated with these disorders. Standardized assessment tools and routine screening in aquatic sports settings are recommended to promote early detection and prevention of EDs, ultimately enhancing athlete well-being and performance.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12991-025-00564-yAquatic athletesAthlete mental healthEating disordersDisordered eatingSports psychology |
| spellingShingle | Prakasini Satapathy Swastik Subhankar Sahu Mahalaqua Nazli Khatib M. M. Rekha Mandeep Kaur Girish Chandra Sharma Puneet Sudan K. Satyam Naidu Rajesh Singh Brajgopal Kushwaha Tripti Desai Muhammed Shabil Sanjay Singh Chauhan Lokesh Verma Amritpal Sidhu Rachana Mehta Sanjit Sah Abhay M. Gaidhane Afukonyo Shidoiku Daniel Joseph Clement Chipeta Ganesh Bushi Prevalence of eating disorders in aquatic athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis Annals of General Psychiatry Aquatic athletes Athlete mental health Eating disorders Disordered eating Sports psychology |
| title | Prevalence of eating disorders in aquatic athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full | Prevalence of eating disorders in aquatic athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_fullStr | Prevalence of eating disorders in aquatic athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prevalence of eating disorders in aquatic athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_short | Prevalence of eating disorders in aquatic athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_sort | prevalence of eating disorders in aquatic athletes a systematic review and meta analysis |
| topic | Aquatic athletes Athlete mental health Eating disorders Disordered eating Sports psychology |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12991-025-00564-y |
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