Female adolescents and individuals participating in activities that emphasize body shape and control have been identified as risk groups for eating disorders. The purpose of this study was to determine whether certain groups of adolescentfemales are more vulnerable to disordered eating patterns or usage of pathogenic weight control techniques (e.g., diuretics, diet pills, fasting, laxatives, induced vomiting). Questionnaire responses were obtainedfrom 650 high schoolfemales-302 athletes (basketball, track andfield/crosscountry, volleyball, tennis, and softball), 89 performance squad members (e.g., cheerleaders, pom-pom teams, majorettes), and 259 students not engaged in these activities. Although sport and performance squads emphasized body shape and control, involvement in these organized physical activity contexts did not differentiate adolescents most at risk. However, I of every 5 students in the total sample had responses reflective of disturbed eating patterns, and 5% through 7% reported daily use of pathogenic weight control techniques.
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