Date of Award

Spring 2022

Document Type

Thesis

College

College of Education

Primary Advisor

Dr. Kasey Mueller

Second Advisor

Professor Amy Beatty

Abstract

This study examined the differences in how often college female athletes’ coaches discussed food relationships and body positivity with how often the college female athletes wished their coaches discussed food relationships and body positivity. I hypothesized that the coaches’ discussions of food relationships and body positivity did not meet the expectations of the college female athletes. Twenty-six participants from Southeastern University in a population of female athletes completed an online survey that produced quantitative data to determine the discrepancy. The survey consisted of three main topics of eating habits, eating disorders, body positivity, and their relationship building with their coaches. The results concluded that the coaches were meeting the expectations of the athletes in the categories of eating habits, body positivity, and in their relationship building. However, the results for the topic of eating disorders were insignificant. Thus, the coaches appear to have discussed these topics positively and constructed positive relationships with their athletes.


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