## 4 Discussion
Compared to previous studies that examined the body dissatisfaction and body concern of young Japanese females using BSS and BAQ [21; 23; 37], the observed results are consistent. Further, the risk of disordered eating as determined with EAT-26 was also comparable to that of Japanese young females in general [23]. This suggests that the observed results from the participants of the current study were simply due to their ethnic characteristics and not to their participation in a long-distance running event. [PERSON] et al. [19] reported that the difference between young Japanese females' measured and perceived ideal weight was approximately 4 kg. In comparison, the participants of the present study showed a difference between their measured and perceived ideal weight ranging between 2.1 and 2.9 kg, depending on the purpose of their ideal (i.e., ideal for current weight, for ideal height or for their competition). From these results, although they show comparable BSS and BAQ results, it can be said that the participants' desire for thinness was rather weak compared with that of young Japanese females. The smaller difference observed between the perceived ideal body mass and the measured values may be simply due to the fact that many participants were lighter than young Japanese femalesin general. However, the results may also indicate a possibility that they had a better understanding of their current body mass than non-athletes. This is possible if participants regularly measure their body mass as a part of training. It is also possible that they are sensitive about their body mass and its change if they had experienced a deterioration of their health condition or performance due to excessive weight loss in the past. It has been well documented that body image is a multi-dimensional concept and is influenced by a number of internal and external factors. While the influences of family, peers and the media (including social media) have been well recognized as the Tripartite Influence Model [38; 39], a number of researchers have suggested the importance of pressure from coaches to maintain a low body weight and lean physique as a potential risk factor for body dissatisfaction and the development of eating disorders for athletes [40; 41]. Furthermore, a number of studies have indicated that actual physique, not only results of simple indices like BMI but also the amount and accumulation pattern of adipose tissue and bone diameter, influence body dissatisfaction [21; 42; 43]. In the present study, however, the body dissatisfaction of the participants was not associated with the measured anthropometric or body composition parameters. This suggests that the study participants expressed body dissatisfaction and a desire for thinness that were not based on their current anthropometric or body composition parameters. This also suggests that they have different sources other than their actual physique that trigger their body dissatisfaction. However, while 30-40% of them expressed that the Internet and TV were their sources of information, no other options questioned in the study were found to be their information source regarding their body. These results may suggest that the participants' body dissatisfaction is not based on their current physique or external factors. While the measured variables were not associated with body dissatisfaction, attitude toward the body as measured with BAQ was found to be associated with some anthropometric parameters. Among the anthropometric parameters associated with BAQ, variables measured from the limbs, including triceps, biceps, front thigh skinfolds and mid-thigh and calf maximum girths, were found to be important to the participants' decision-making. In addition, almost all participants were concerned about their body solely in relation to their performance and the factors of the Tripartite Influence Model (i.e., family, peers and the media), and factors specific to the participants such as coaches do not influence their body concern.