Reciprocal relations between body dissatisfaction and excessive exercise in college women

Abstract

Objective: Body dissatisfaction elevates the risk for disordered eating behaviors. Excessive exercise is prevalent among college women and associated with harm. Risk theory posits a bidirectional relationship between risk factors for disordered eating behaviors and the behaviors themselves. This study investigated the longitudinal, reciprocal relationship between body dissatisfaction and excessive exercise.

Participants and methods: College women (n = 302) assessed in August (baseline) and November (follow-up).

Results: Baseline body dissatisfaction significantly predicted increases in excessive exercise endorsement at follow-up, controlling for baseline excessive exercise endorsement and body mass index (BMI). Baseline excessive exercise endorsement predicted increases in body dissatisfaction at follow-up, controlling for baseline body dissatisfaction and BMI.

Conclusions: Findings support the presence of a positive feedback loop between body dissatisfaction and excessive exercise; both predict increases in risk for the other, regardless of weight status. Future research should test whether this process is ongoing and predicts further distress.

Keywords:

• Body dissatisfaction
• college students
• exercise
• weight

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements of the United States and received approval from the University of Kentucky Institutional Review Board.

Data availability

Data are available upon request.