Exercise and eating disorder symptoms among young females.
BACKGROUND
In various settings, eating disorder symptoms have been linked to physical activity.


METHODS
A random sample of 726 females, aged 17-23 years, responded on a self-administered questionnaire. "High level exercisers" (HiEx) were defined as subjects exercising > or =6 sessions/week, > or =1 h/session. "Exercisers with obligatory attitudes" (ObEx) were those obtaining a result above the 95th percentile on a composite score of obligatory exercise items. These groups were compared to controls regarding composite scores of eating disorder symptoms and other symptoms.


RESULTS
While HiEx did not, ObEx obtained a significant result at the p<0.001 level regarding the score for body image problems, recurrent weight-reducing attempts, bingeing and post-prandial impulses to vomit. ObEx was also associated with symptoms related to stress and in particular with a high level of general activity coupled with perfectionistic ambitions.


CONCLUSIONS
Eating disorder symptoms in young females seem to be associated with obligatory attitudes to exercise rather than with exercise quantity.
Seigel
K
K
Department of Neurosciences (Psychiatry), University Hospital of Uppsala, Sweden.
Hetta
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002032:Bulimia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology