Author ORCID Identifier
Semester
Fall
Date of Graduation
2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Type
PhD
College
College of Applied Human Sciences
Department
Sport and Exercise Psychology
Committee Chair
Dana Voelker
Committee Co-Chair
Sam Zizzi
Committee Member
Dan Gould
Committee Member
Jeanette Garcia
Abstract
Athletes are often exposed to body pressures in sport environments (Voelker & Reel, 2020), which can contribute to body image concerns and eating pathology (Petrie & Greenleaf, 2007, 2012) with lasting consequences for performance and well-being. Although research has highlighted the harmful impacts of these concerns, and has called for a broader investigation into the sources of athletes’ experiences of these concerns (Voelker et al., 2022), little is known about the role of sport organizations in influencing athletes’ body pressures, body image concerns, and eating pathology. Using a descriptive qualitative research design within a post-positivist paradigmatic approach, the current study explored the frequency and content of body- and eating-related policies within the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee’s (USOPC) 51 national governing bodies (NGBs), examining differences in policy frequency and content by sport type. Following reflexive content analysis (Nicmanis, 2024) of 156 body- and eating-related policies, five overarching categories were identified: (a) uniform requirements, (b) athlete body image and nutrition-related supports, (c) organizational strategies to prevent body- and eating-related concerns, (d) body- and eating-related maltreatment, and (e) athletes’ responsibilities related to nutrition and body weight. Findings highlight the inconsistent and often vague nature of existing NGB policies, underscoring the need for standardized and comprehensive policies. Practical recommendations include developing both proactive and reactive body- and eating-related policies, providing clear and objective guidance, and critically examining gendered appearance standards communicated through policy to create a more inclusive sport culture that reduces athletes’ experiences of body pressures, body image concerns, and eating pathology.
Recommended Citation
Sadler, Sarah Margaret, "An Analysis of USOPC National Governing Body Policies Related to Body Pressures, Body Image Concerns, and Eating Pathology" (2025). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 13080.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/13080