Exploring the contribution of exercise dependence to eating disorder symptoms. Issue 1 (19th August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brosof, Leigh C.; Williams, Brenna M.; Levinson, Cheri A.
• Is Part Of: International journal of eating disorders. Volume 53:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 123
• Page End: 127
• Publication Date: 2019-08-19
• Subjects: dysfunctional exercise -- EDs -- exercise dependence -- negative affect; Appetite disorders -- Periodicals; Ingestion disorders -- Periodicals; Eating disorders -- Periodicals; 616.8526
• DOI: 10.1002/eat.23156
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0276-3478

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: Exercise dependence is a set of cognitive and behavioral symptoms that constitute a reliance on exercise and is related to eating disorder (ED) symptoms. There are seven components of exercise dependence: tolerance, withdrawal, continuance, lack of control, reduction in other activities, time, and intention effects. Exercising in response to negative affect (NA) is a key feature of dysfunctional exercise in the EDs. However, it is unknown which specific components of exercise dependence relate to ED symptoms, above and beyond NA. Method: The current study ( N = 168 individuals with EDs) investigated which components of exercise dependence relate to ED symptoms both cross‐sectionally and prospectively. Results: In cross‐sectional data, we found that withdrawal, tolerance, and time were associated with ED symptoms, above and beyond NA. Prospectively over 1 month, when adjusting for baseline ED symptoms and NA, we found that lack of control, withdrawal, and time positively predicted ED symptoms. Discussion: These findings inform future research on how exercise dependence relates to ED symptoms, showing that withdrawal and time are uniquely associated with ED symptoms both cross‐sectionally and over time.