Prevalence and correlates of exercise motivated by negative affect.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and correlates of exercising in response to negative affect.


METHODS
Participants (N = 177) completed questionnaires assessing affect before and after exercise, exercise quality and quantity, eating behaviors and attitudes, body image, and self-esteem.


RESULTS
Fifty-eight percent of participants endorsed ever exercising in response to negative affect. As a group, these individuals were more likely to report self-induced vomiting, binge eating, and fasting over the previous 4 weeks. They also showed poorer body image and self-esteem, and their exercise was more obligatory and impairing. Groups did not differ on body mass index or quantity of exercise.


CONCLUSIONS
Negative affect motivated exercise appears to be a common phenomenon that is associated with eating disordered behavior.
De Young
Kyle P
KP
Department of Psychology, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA. kd897738@albany.edu
Anderson
Drew A
DA
D000339:Affect / Q000502:physiology*; D001828:Body Image; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult