716 subjects were able to actually participate in the study. The instruments in the study included a questionnaire utilizing demographic and background information used in old surveys. The questions included inquiries into performance history, and weight loss methods, dietary practices and supplements, as well as questions regarding binge eating and bulimic behavior. Though self-evaluation questionnaires regarding the prevalence of severe eating disorders, including bulimia has rarely been utilized; however a study concerning alcohol use helped to support that in fact self reporting questionnaires are a valid method.

The research utilized factor analysis to determine the convergent validity of the binge scale. 71% of the variance was explained by items representing concerns and guilt about binge eating, and 16% was related to feelings of satiety and the duration of binge eating. Test- retest reliability of the binge scale was .88 and internal consistency was .68. The researcher correlated coefficients for inter-item reliability that ranged from .72 to .84 for purging behavior.

Data analysis utilized chi-square analysis and mean comparison between bulimic and non-bulimic wrestlers. A multiple linear regression was used for mean comparison to overcome the small group size. The binge scores were categorized into high (equal to or more than 10), moderate (6 to 90, and mild (1 to 5). A multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to determine the best predictors of the severity of binge eating. The mean age of the participants was 16, the mean height was 168.5 cm, the mean weight 63.9 kgs, and most participants began wrestling in the seventh grade. The average amount of weight lost to qualify on average was 4.0kg with a standard deviation of 3.7, while the average amount of weight that was gained and lost weekly was 2.3 kg with a standard deviation of 1.7. The amount of weight gained postseason for 425 of the participants on average was 5.6 kg with a standard deviation of 3.4.Results indicated that 55% of the wrestlers lost more...

For this group the weight loss methods included increased exercise, restricting foods or fluids, or gradual dieting. 32% fasted. A majority of the participants dehydrated while using heated wrestling rooms or rubber suits; as little as 6% utilized diet pills, 4% vomiting, 3% laxatives, and 3% diuretics. The article explained that the primary source of information on promoting weight loss for 82% of participants came from their coach.77% other wrestlers, 58% from former wrestlers, 57% received help from their parents, and lastly 41% had assistance of a physician.
The study stated that 2.8% of participants met the requirements for bulimia. At this point in the research the participants were placed in two groups. One group met the requirements for bulimia; the second group did not meet the requirements stated in the DSM III-R. These two groups were then analyzed regarding all of the questions stated in the intro of the research. Results indicated that those that were in the group that did meet the criteria associated with bulimia were likely to binge more frequently. Feelings of concern of binge eating were also most prominent in this group. There was also a significant difference in the amount of weight loss between both groups, as well as a difference in post season weight gain. Research further shows that participants that met the criteria for bulimia were more likely to place in state meets over those that did not meet the requirements (10%).

Findings suggest that high school wrestlers may be at risk for developing bulimia, considering the behaviors reported associated with binge eating and bulimic characteristics. However, no conclusion was made regarding whether or not adolescent males go into wrestling with these perceptions and habits already in place. The researcher believes that there is a need for further research to determine if binge eating is temporary & related to wrestling season. The research concluded by stating what a positive impact school nurses can play in indicating wrestlers that…