Other Titles
Rising Star Poster/Presentation
Abstract
The purpose of this integrative review was to explore the risk of eating disorders in male athletes aged 15-36 years old in high performance sports. Whittmore and Knalf’s integrative review method was followed to address this research aim. Two databases (Ovid MEDLINE 1946 to present and CINAHL) were searched between the years of 2000 and 2023. Suitability for inclusion was assessed, and data were extracted and analysed using thematic analysis. Twenty-three articles met the inclusion criteria for this review. Three themes were identified and reflect the risk of eating disorders in male athletes in high performance sports between the ages of 15-36 years old. These themes included men’s unrealistic ideal body image, unrealistic eating behaviours and unrealistic exercising patterns. Moving forward, it is important that research focuses on male athletes’ risk of eating disorders to help them with coping. Future research is needed to develop different interventions similar to those researched for female high-performance athletes.
Notes
Reference list attached as separate file.
Sigma Membership
Iota Omicron
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Integrative Review
Research Approach
Mixed/Multi Method Research
Keywords:
Eating Disorders, Male Athletes, Body Image, Eating Behavior, Sports Participation
Recommended Citation
Puspoky, Robbie-Lynn C., "Eating Disorders in Male Athletes" (2026). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 135.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2026/posters_2026/135
Conference Name
37th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Conference Year
2026
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Invited Presentation
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-10-01
Eating Disorders in Male Athletes
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
The purpose of this integrative review was to explore the risk of eating disorders in male athletes aged 15-36 years old in high performance sports. Whittmore and Knalf’s integrative review method was followed to address this research aim. Two databases (Ovid MEDLINE 1946 to present and CINAHL) were searched between the years of 2000 and 2023. Suitability for inclusion was assessed, and data were extracted and analysed using thematic analysis. Twenty-three articles met the inclusion criteria for this review. Three themes were identified and reflect the risk of eating disorders in male athletes in high performance sports between the ages of 15-36 years old. These themes included men’s unrealistic ideal body image, unrealistic eating behaviours and unrealistic exercising patterns. Moving forward, it is important that research focuses on male athletes’ risk of eating disorders to help them with coping. Future research is needed to develop different interventions similar to those researched for female high-performance athletes.
Description
The purpose of this integrative review was to explore the risk of eating disorders in male athletes aged 15-36 years old in high performance sports. Whittmore and Knalf’s integrative review method was followed to address this research aim. Three themes were identified and reflect the risk of eating disorders in male athletes in high performance sports between the ages of 15-36 years old. Moving forward, research needs to focus on male athletes’ risk of eating disorders to help them cope.