Paper Title
Prevalence of Eating Disorders Among National Level Female Boxing Players in Sri Lanka

Abstract
category sports athletes often pressure to lose weight rapidly and they follow abnormal eating patterns to reduce their weight. Therefore this study examined the prevalence of eating disorders among national female boxing athletes. Subjects included were forty five national female boxing athletes in Sri Lanka. All the athletes were administered SCOFF questionnaire for screening and Eating Attitude Test to 1) classify individuals at risk for eating disorders. Further female Athlete Screening Tool questionnaire was used to identify the player’s eating behaviors, physical activity level and personal beliefs regarding their eating habits. 2) Body Mass Index was taken as an anthropometric parameter of the players. Chi squared was used to find the relationship between eating disorders and the value of BMI. - SCOFF questionnaire showed > 2 marks by 53.34% and were screened as at risk. • According to EAT- 26 and DSM VI criteria, 53.34% were found at risk and 46.66% were not • Among the risk players, 95.84% were Anorexia Nervosa 4.16% were Bulimia Nervosa. - Considering the BMI level 26.66% players were within normal limit and 73.34% • players were in the underweight, overweight and obese categories. • Chi squared test results shows that there was a significant relationship between eating disorders and the value of BMI (p<0.05). This study revealed that there was high prevalence of eating disorders among national female boxing athletes and important to each national level sports team should have the access to the service of a qualified nutritionist to get dietary advices for minimize the risk. Key Words - Eating Disorders, Female Boxing Athletes, Bulimia Nervosa, Anorexia Nervosa, BMI Levels