The athletic population seem to be vulnerable to eating disorders (ED) but is this in relation to their ability to express their emotions or alexithymia?

Studying the prevalence of ED in a population of athletes, and establish the relationship between the ED and alexithymia .

It was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study of 45 persons practicing sport. We used:

1. - The Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26).

2. - The Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20).

The average age of participants was 26,44 years; the sex ratio (M/W) was 0,5. Their average weight was 67.18% Kg, their average size was 1.68 m and had an average BMI of 23.45; 73,3% had a normal BMI and 26,7% were overweigh (BMI ≥05; 25). They practiced a collective sport in 53.3% of cases, with an average number of hours / week: 4.18 ± 2,70.

The average score of the EAT-26 was 12.71 ± 6.75 and prevalence of TCA was 22.2%. The average score of TAS-20 was 49,93 9,77 and alexithymia was found in 17.8% of participants. A significant correlation was found between alexithymia and ED (p = 0,03) and between ED and the nature of sports (p = 0,01).

It’s clear from our study an association between alexithymia and the ED. The practice of sport is a way to express themselves, lack of verbal expression. Hence the importance of educating people with ED and encourage them to practice sports, so ideally with psychotherapeutic care.