Increasing in Eating Disorders and Their Role in Social-Physical Anxiety in Active Elderly Men

Eating disorders play an important role in physical and mental health of the active elderlies. The energy needed by the body in older men due to changes in body composition, decreased basal metabolism on the one hand and on the other hand reduced physical activity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between social-physical anxiety and eating disorders of elderly men with sport activities. The subjects of this study were all elderlies of Babol with at least two years of experience of exercise who exercised at the local parks of the city. 100 people were randomly selected as the sample of the study. They completed Garner and Garfyngl Eating Disorders Inventory (reliability 0/85 Validity 0/86) and measures of social-physical anxiety McKenziy (reliability 0/85 or validity 0/81). In order to analyze the data, descriptive data including mean, standard deviation and regression analysis were used. Results showed a significant and positive relationship between eating disorders and social-physical anxiety (p=0/001). Symptoms of anorexia nervosa and anorexia are strongest variables in the prediction of social anxiety symptoms limbs (p=0/001). Compared with bulimia nervosa, component of anorexia nervosa had a greater role in eating disorders in elderlies. This research suggests that by regularly adjusting their eating habits and physical activity in elderlies, their attitudes toward participation in the community can positively change. So that, by adequate and regular exercise, they could have a positive view of their body. Keywords: