The effect of structured group therapy on eating behavior, level of depression, body image and self-esteem in adolescent Volleyball players

Eating disorders are psychiatric diseases in which eating behavior is severely impaired. The purpose of this study is to reduce eating behavior disorders that are known to be common among athletes by using the therapeutic effects of psychological counseling and nutritional focused psychoeducational study in individual-centered groups. This study was designed as an experimental study in which experimental group and control group are used who performed pretest and posttests. A total of 24 female athletes (14-17 years old) who attend competitions in the same league voluntarily participated in this study. According to the results of pretest application, a selected volleyball team was determined as control (12 athletes) and experiment (12 athletes) groups. 12 athletes in the experimental group performed 'Eating Disorders Intervention Program' which involves 12 sessions. Athletes in the control group were not intervened. In order to evaluate the intervention program; Eating Attitudes Test (EAT), The Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Body Image Scale (BIS), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) were used as pretest and posttests. In order to determine general body structure and body fat percentage, anthropometric measurements were calculated. Also, "24-h Dietary Form" was used for determination of the nutritional status of participants. At the end of the intervention program, it was found out that EAT, BDI mean points of the experimental group were significantly reduced and BIS mean point of the experimental group were significantly increased. Athletes in the control group showed no statistically significant difference between pretest and posttest points (p<0.05). Additionally, a statistically significant difference could not be found in DEBQ and RSES points, anthropometric measurements, daily mean energy and food substance consumption amounts in the experimental group (p>0.05). The control group which was not intervened show no statistically significant difference in the entire pretest-posttest results apart from fat-free body mass and body fat weight (p>0.05). In conclusion, it was found out that structural intervention program, performed on adolescent volleyball players has positive effects on their eating attitudes, depression level and body image.