College athletes are healthier than most.

• Position: Eating Disorders - Brief Article

An Ohio State University, Columbus, survey suggests very few major college athletes suffer from full-blown eating disorders, but slightly more than one in six may exhibit limited symptoms. Results showed that 83% of the athletes reported no signs of an eating disorder. Another 15% showed some behaviors associated with one--such as binge-eating and purging--but not severe enough to be listed as a disorder.

The results represent mostly good news, though they show that even some elite athletes have eating and body image problems that need to be addressed, indicates sports psychologist Jennifer Carter. "In general, eating disorders among college athletes are no more prevalent--and may be slightly less prevalent--than among college students at large....

"The fittest people on campus are probably this group of student-athletes, but even many of them...