PEDIATRICS Vol. 91 No. 4 April 1993, pp. 826-831
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Bulimic Behaviors Among Interscholastic Wrestlers: A Statewide Survey

Robert A. Oppligen PhD1, Gregory L. Landry MD2, Sharon W. Foster PhD3, and Ann C. Lambrecht MPH, RD4

1 From the State Health Registry of Iowa and Department of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health, The University of Iowa, Iowa City
2 From the Department of Pediatrics, Section of Sports Medicine, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison
3 From the Department of Pediatrics, Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison
4 From the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, University of Wisconsin, Madison

Wrestlers are known for their extreme weight-cutting practices including fasting, food and fluid restriction, and dehydration. Using a stratified statewide survey, this investigation elucidated weight loss practices, nutritional knowledge, and bulimic behaviors among 713 high school wrestlers in Wisconsin. Results showed that 1.7% of the wrestlers answered questions consistent with all five criteria for bulimia nervosa, a rate higher than expected for adolescent males. An additional 43% exhibited weight-cutting practices similar to those of the wrestlers who met all bulimia nervosa criteria. The average wrestler lost 3.2 kg to compete, cycled 1.8 kg weekly, and fasted 20 hours prior to weigh-in. More extreme behaviors occurred among the 45% who met two or more bulimia nervosa criteria on their questionnaire; 19% frequently fasted, 25% restricted fluids, 34% used rubber suits, and 8% vomited. These results are comparable with data published over the past 20 years. Efforts to curtail these behaviors through regulations restricting weight loss coupled with sound nutritional information are warranted. Physicians and health professionals should be alert to potential eating disorders within this population.

Key Words: bulimia • wrestlers • weight loss

Submitted on March 19, 1992
Accepted on June 26, 1992


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