Exercise and eating disorder symptoms among young females.

Abstract

In various settings, eating disorder symptoms have been linked to physical activity. 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. 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. Eating disorder symptoms in young females seem to be associated with obligatory attitudes to exercise rather than with exercise quantity.