Examination of Energy Balance, Eating Disorder Risk, and Pathogenic Behaviors among Athletic Trainers

Research exists on energy balance (EB) and eating disorder (ED) risk in physically active populations and occupations by settings, but EB and ED in athletic trainers (ATs) has not been investigated. To assess ATs' energy needs, including macronutrient profile, and to examine ED risk and pathogenic behavior between sex (males, females), job status (part-time=PT-AT; full-time=FT-AT) and setting (college/university, high school, non-traditional). Cross-sectional and descriptive. Free-living in job settings. ATs (n=46; males PT-AT n=12, males FT-AT n=11; females PT-AT n=11, female FT-AT n=12) in Southeastern United States. Anthropometric measurements (age, height, weight, body composition), resting metabolic rate (RMR), energy intake (EI), total daily energy expenditure (TDEE), exercise energy expenditure (EEE), EB, macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein, fats), Eating Disorder Inventory-3, and the Eating Disorder Inventory-3 Symptom Checklist. Majority (84.8%, n=39) had ED risk, with 26.1% (n=12) engaging in at least 1 pathogenic behavior, 50% (n=23) in 2 pathogenic behaviors, and 10.8% (n=5) in more than 2 pathogenic behaviors. 82.6% of ATs (n=38) presented in negative EB (EI