Modeling Eating Disorders in Sports: Development of an Ontology

While physical activity is often beneficial, intensive sports practice can lead to mental health challenges, including eating disorders. Dysfunctional Eating Attitudes and Behaviors (DEAB) affect up to 22.7% of athletes, underscoring the need for early detection to safeguard mental well-being. Although assessment tools such as the Eating Attitude Test have been adapted for DEAB, their interpretation in the context of sports remains complex. Identifying risk and protective factors is essential, yet the diversity of studies makes broad generalization difficult.

Etiological models, such as those proposed by Petrie and Greenleaf (2007, 2012), highlight sociocultural influences but do not fully account for other critical variables. Emerging as a promising approach, artificial intelligence—particularly through the use of ontologies—offers new avenues for understanding and modeling DEAB in sports. In the short term, developing an ontology based on a comprehensive literature review aims to provide a holistic perspective on the determinants of DEAB, paving the way for further research and innovation in this field.


Project Leader

Stephanie Meriaux, Assistant Professor, LAMHESS -  Laboratoire Motricité Humaine Expertise Sport Santé (Université Côte d'Azur laboratory in Sport Sciences).


Participants au projet

Meggy Hayotte, Assistant Professor, LAMHESS.
Amandine Daubresse, PhD student (2024 - 2027), LAMHESS.