The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of the thin ideal internalization on inappropriate eating behaviors (IEB) in elite gymnastics. Participants included 62 gymnasts aged between 12 and 17 years. We used the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) and the subscales of the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-3 (SATAQ-3) to evaluate the IEB and of the thin ideal internalization, respectively. The findings showed no influence subscale SATAQ-3 on food restriction (p>0,05) and self-control oral (p>0,05), however, indicate influence of internalization of thinness in bulimic symptoms (p<0,05). Therefore it can be concluded that the ideal body internalization was an important predictor for the symptoms of bulimia.
Eating disorders; Body image; Athletes