Obligatory Exercise Questionnaire Research Articles

Sociocultural predictors of obligatory exercise in young men: A Polish-Chinese comparison.

Obligatory exercise has been shown to have negative physical and mental effects on exercisers and is more prevalent among young people. However, there is limited research on obligatory exercise among young men. Social comparison theory offers a novel perspective to explore the relationship between sociocultural factors and obligatory exercise among young men, which offers an opportunity to understand potential factors contributing to obligatory exercise among young men across different cultures. We recruited a purposive sample of young people aged 18-30 from Poland (n=79) and China (n=194). Participants completed self-report measures including the Sociocultural Attitudes Toward Appearance Questionnaire3, Inventory of Physical Activity Objectives, and Obligatory Exercise Questionnaire. In the data analysis stage, we examined the strength of the relationships between the independent variables and the dependent variable through multiple regression analysis, and tested the role of the mediating variables. The main analyses revealed that Internalization-Athlete was a common direct predictor of obligatory exercise for both Polish and Chinese young men; that there were direct sociocultural predictors of obligatory exercise that were only used in relation to Polish or Chinese young men; and that social adaptation goals for motivation for physical activity mediated the development of obligatory exercise for Polish and Chinese young men, and that there were cross-cultural differences. Attention should be paid to their attitudes towards the idea of a muscular and athletic body and socially adapted physical activity motivations when understanding young men's obligatory exercise, while also considering cross-cultural differences.

Obligatory exercise in young adults

Introduction: Physical activity and exercise have numerous physical and psychological benefits. However, some individuals persevere in exercise despite the various problems it causes – physical, emotional, social and psychological. Aim: The present study aimed to explore the effects of gender, group of exercisers and supplements on the occurrence of obligatory exercise in young adults. Another aim was to explore and present psychometric characteristics and factor structure of the Croatian version of The Obligatory Exercise Questionnaire (OEQ). Methods: The study included 124 kinesiology students and 109 recreational exercisers (107 males and 126 females) in early adulthood engaged in some kind of physical activity. The participants provided information about sociodemographic characteristics and completed The Obligatory Exercise Questionnaire. Results: Analysis of the factor structure of the Obligatory Exercise Questionnaire revealed three factors: exercise frequency and commitment, exercise preoccupation and intensity, and exercise emotionality. Obtained findings correspond to the previous modified and reduced versions of the instrument. The results of the research indicate that male participants and kinesiology students exercise more often and are more committed than females and recreational exercisers. Participants using vitamin and nutritional supplements exercise more often, are more committed and more preoccupied and exercise more intensely than those who are not using any supplements. Likewise, male students using vitamin and nutritional supplements show the highest levels of exercise emotionality. Conclusion: The results suggest that the male gender, kinesiology students, and those who use the supplements may be riskier for obligatory exercise development.

Types of exercise and the relationship between body image dissatisfaction and compulsive exercise behaviors.

Body image dissatisfaction and compulsive exercise behaviors are two main factors in recognizing an eating disorder within active individuals. By examining types of exercise and trends within the general population, it may provide insight into how exercise plays a role in eating disorder symptoms and other mental health concerns. We employed a cross-sectional study to examine our patient's exercise behaviors, compulsive exercise traits, and body image dissatisfaction. A total of 96 (35 males, 61 females) physically active adults (m<inf>males</inf> 26.2±4.47 years, m<inf>females</inf> 25.6±5.13 years) completed a survey that included a modified version of the Body Image Concern subscale of the Body Change Questionnaire (BCQ) and the Obligatory Exercise Questionnaire (OEQ). The average scores between males and females on the BCQ and OEQ were not statistically different from one another. Strength and aerobic training did not correlate with BCQ scores. There was no correlation between OEQ scores and any of the three exercise methods. A positive correlation existed between OEQ scores and the frequency of workouts per week (r=0.568, P<0.001). Only females demonstrated negative correlations between BCQ scores and mixed-method training (r=-2.54, P=0.049) and between BCQ scores and the frequency of workouts per week (r=-2.57, P=0.046). Our findings demonstrate the importance of addressing body image dissatisfaction for all populations, regardless of gender. Athletic trainers can utilize mixed-method training to help at-risk individuals train without increasing their body dissatisfaction symptoms.

Examining the reliability of the scores of self-report instruments assessing problematic exercise: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background and aimsProblematic exercise (PE) has mainly been assessed with self-report instruments. However, summarized evidence on the reliability of the scores derived from such instruments has yet to be provided. The present study reports a reliability generalization meta-analysis of six well-known self-report measures of PE (Commitment to Exercise Scale, Compulsive Exercise Test, Exercise Addiction Inventory, Exercise Dependence Questionnaire, Exercise Dependence Scale, and Obligatory Exercise Questionnaire).MethodsPooled effect sizes were computed using a random-effect model employing a restricted maximum likelihood estimation method. Univariable and multivariable meta-regressions analyses were employed for testing moderator variables.ResultsData retrieved from 255 studies (741 independent samples, N = 254,174) identified three main groups of findings: (i) pooled alpha values that, ranging from 0.768 to 0.930 for global scores and from 0.615 to 0.907 for subscale scores, were found to be sensitive to sociodemographic and methodological characteristics; (ii) reliability induction rates of 47.58%; and (iii) the virtually non-existent testing of the assumptions required for the proper applicability of alpha. Data unavailability prevented the provision of summarized reliability estimates in terms of temporal stability.DiscussionThese findings highlight the need to improve reliability reporting of the scores of self-reported instruments of PE in primary studies. This implies providing both prior justification for the appropriateness of the index employed and reliability data for all the subpopulation of interest. The values presented could be used as a reference both for comparisons with those obtained in future primary studies and for correcting measurement-related artefacts in quantitative meta-analytic research concerning PE.

The Role of Sports Physiotherapist in Confronting Exercise Addiction.

Everyday physical activity plays an important part in health maintenance and disease prevention. Excess exercise, however, can cause detrimental effects on both physical and mental health. It can also hamper the quality of life to an extent that individual is unable to regulate this behavior. ‘Addicted’ exercisers are more likely to work out for intrinsic rewards and experience troubling feelings of deprivation. In comparison, ‘committed’ exercisers participate in physical activity for extrinsic benefits and, when they cannot exercise, do not experience extreme withdrawal symptoms. Sportspersons indulge themselves in long hours of training as a response of their quest to improve endurance and performance in the face of common setbacks. Recognizing the addiction to exercise is also a contentious idea and the aim of this article is to draw an attention towards the same. Exercise Addiction diagnosis needs employment of questionnaires such as Exercise Dependence Scale, Obligatory Exercise Questionnaire, and Exercise Addiction Inventory. They need to be employed in the pre-participation evaluation of an individual participating in any sports event. Physiotherapists are often the first to meet an individual with exercise addiction. Physiotherapists play an important role in diagnosis of exercise addiction as well as in prevention as they are aware of challenges of treating exercise addicted patients and develop specific approaches to deal with their issues. As if it goes unnoticed, the prognosis can even be fatal.

Obligatory exercise and coping in treatment-seeking women with poor body image.

Obligatory exercise is characterized by continued exercise despite negative consequences, and intense negative affect when unable to exercise. Research suggests psychosocial differences between individuals that exercise in an obligatory manner and those that do not. It also has been speculated that obligatory exercise may serve coping and affect regulation functions, yet these factors have not been routinely examined in community women with poor body image. The purpose of the current study was to investigate psychosocial differences between obligatory and non-obligatory exercisers, and to examine the use of obligatory exercise as an avoidant coping strategy in a sample of women with poor body image. Women (n = 70) seeking treatment for body dissatisfaction were divided into obligatory and non-obligatory exercise groups based on their scores on the Obligatory Exercise Questionnaire. Participants then completed an assessment battery about eating pathology, body image, reasons for exercise, coping strategies, and negative affect. Independent t test analyses indicated that obligatory exercisers had significantly greater eating disorder symptomatology, avoidant coping, and appearance- and mood-related reasons for exercise than non-obligatory exercisers. Multiple regression analyses revealed that eating disorder symptomatology and avoidant coping were significant predictors of obligatory exercise. There are distinct psychosocial differences between women with poor body image who exercise in an obligatory fashion and those who do not. The current study suggests that obligatory exercise may serve as an avoidant coping strategy for women with poor body image. Enhancing healthy coping strategies may be an important addition to body image improvement programs. V, cross-sectional descriptive study.

Body dissatisfaction, excessive exercise, and weight change strategies used by first-year undergraduate students: comparing health and physical education and other education students

BackgroundHealth and Physical Education (HPE) teachers are known to be under social-, personal-, and employment-related pressure to be and appear physically fit, and to use dangerous dieting and weight control practices. This is problematic due to the influence this may have on their own health and the potential to model these attitudes and behaviours to their future students.MethodsIn this paper, we compare the body image, dieting, disordered eating, and exercise behaviours of first year, HPE, and non-HPE, teacher education students. Participants were 596 first-year university student pre-service teachers (n = 249 HPE and n = 347 non-HPE) from three universities in Australia who completed self-report questionnaires. Analysis of covariance and logistic regression analyses were used to determine differences in attitudes and behaviours between these two groups for males and females separately.ResultsWe found that male HPE participants had significantly higher levels of drive for muscularity and obligatory exercise, and were more likely to be classified as having an exercise disorder, dieting, and using steroids than non-HPE students were. Female HPE students were more likely to engage in self-reported excessive exercise, to have higher scores on the Obligatory Exercise Questionnaire, and be classified as having an exercise disorder.ConclusionThese findings are important as they confirm the presence of dieting and disordered eating attitudes and behaviours among all teacher education students, and highlight male HPE teachers as a potentially vulnerable group. These results may inform the implementation of intervention programs for teacher education students to ensure their personal wellbeing and professional capacity in promoting positive body image, nutrition, and physical activity among young people.

Conceptualizing primary and secondary pathological exercise using available measures of excessive exercise.

There is disagreement about the conceptualization and measurement of pathological exercise (PE). This study seeks to elucidate the nature of this phenomenon as addictive or compulsive in its primary and secondary forms. 1,497 adults (608 men, 885 women, 4 other) completed a set of validated surveys, including the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire, the Exercise Dependence Scale-21, the Exercise Addiction Inventory, the Compulsive Exercise Test (CET), the Obligatory Exercise Questionnaire, the Commitment to Exercise Scale, and an exercise specific adaptation of the Dimensional Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (ESDOCS). Participants completed the Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire, and DSM-5 eating disorder (ED) diagnoses were determined according to published guidelines. Pearson correlation coefficients, independent samples t-tests, χ(2) tests, 1-way ANOVA's, and ANCOVA's were calculated. All PE measures correlated highly with one another (P < 0.001). Participants with EDs scored higher on all measures than those without (P < 0.001), and those with bulimia nervosa had the highest scores. Participants with PE and an accompanying ED (secondary PE) scored higher than those with PE and no ED symptoms (primary ED) on the CET (P < 0.002) and ESDOCS (P < 0.003). Correlations between EDE-Q and PE scores were stronger among women than men. PE prevalence was 6.4% (1.4% primary PE, 5.0% secondary PE) in our heterogeneous sample. Secondary PE appears to be more compulsive while primary PE is more addictive in nature. Men and women are equally at risk for PE, but in men it is more often primary and addictive and in women it is more often secondary and compulsive. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2016; 49:778-792).

Correspondence between alternate measures of maladaptive exercise, and their associations with disordered eating symptomatology.

Aims: The study sought to contribute to the measurement of maladaptive exercise by examining the psychometric properties of a variety of instruments and classification algorithms. The primary aim was to identify the items or scales necessary and sufficient to quantify the construct. A secondary aim was to comment on the construct validity of these measures by examining their relationships with disordered eating symptomatology. Methods: Questionnaire booklets comprising the Exercise Dependence Scale, the Obligatory Exercise Questionnaire, the Frequency, Intensity, Time Index, and the Eating Attitudes Test were distributed to women attending health and fitness centres. Self-reported age, height, current and desired weight, and length of time as a regular exerciser were also sought. Data were obtained from 302 regular exercisers. Results: While there were statistically significant associations among the measures, no two operationalised maladaptive exercise in the same manner. The Frequency-Intensity-Time Index (FIT) was found to be particularly poor. While variation in the size of relationships between maladaptive exercise and disordered eating was noted, all measures were strongly correlated with the exception of FIT, which demonstrated a modest correlation. Conclusions: Different conceptualisations of maladaptive exercise have led to alternative operational definitions, resulting in its classification being instrument dependent. Further exploration using samples with differing characteristics (e.g., high/low probability of dependence) may allow more specific recommendations to be made about the optimal measurement of maladaptive exercise. Further, the question of whether maladaptive exercise is more likely a cause or consequence of eating disorders remains.

Links Among Eating Disorder Characteristics, Exercise Patterns, and Psychological Attributes in College Students

This study examined associations among eating disorder characteristics, excessive exercise, and selected psychological attributes in college students ( N = 499). Male and female participants were recruited from university psychology courses and administered the Obligatory Exercise Questionnaire (OEQ), Mental Health Inventory, Eating Self-Efficacy Scale, Revised Restraint Scale, and Eating Disorder Inventory. Results confirmed the multidimensionality of excessive exercise for both males and females. Profiles of male and female exercisers were developed based on the clustering of scores on the OEQ’s factor analytically derived subscales. Specific qualitative aspects of exercise (e.g., emotionality and obsession), rather than the quantity of exercise, were found to be associated with eating disorder traits and, for some groups, psychological distress (PD). For other groups, such as female excessive exercisers, exercise seems to act as a coping mechanism, thereby lessening PD and enhancing well-being.

The effect of exercise absence on affect and body dissatisfaction as moderated by obligatory exercise beliefs and eating disordered beliefs and behaviors

AimResearch suggests that exercise absence is frequently associated with greater guilt and negative affect, particularly when obligatory exercise beliefs and eating disordered psychopathology are considered. Two separate studies used ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to examine differences in mood on exercise and non-exercise days and the moderating impact of obligatory exercise beliefs and eating disordered beliefs and behaviors. MethodBoth studies recruited female university students who endorsed frequent exercise behavior and study two also recruited based on level of eating disordered psychopathology. Participants completed the Obligatory Exercise Questionnaire at baseline and EMA measures of affect and exercise behavior for approximately one week. Study two participants also completed measures of body dissatisfaction and cognitions. ResultsResults of study one suggest that obligation to exercise appears to have a greater impact on general level of affect than does exercise absence or the interaction of these two. In addition, in study two, eating disorder symptomatology was significantly associated with affect and cognition while exercise absence and obligatory exercise beliefs were not. ConclusionsThe present studies suggest that the absence of exercise is not associated with significant changes in affect or cognitions. However, obligation to exercise and eating disorder symptomatology do impact affect and cognitions.

Re-examining the Dimensions of Obligatory Exercise

The authors examined the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Obligatory Exercise Questionnaire using exploratory factor analyses (Study 1), and confirmatory factor analyses (Study 2). The relationships between obligatory exercise and other psychological variables including: motivation, subjective well-being, physical self-concept, social physique anxiety, and behavioral intention were also examined. The analyses revealed three factors underlying the OEQ: exercise behavior, exercise emotionality, and preoccupation with exercise. Theoretically consistent relationships were observed between obligatory exercise and other psychological variables. Overall, negative emotionality associated with missing a workout appears to be an important indicator of obligatory exercise. From a psychometric perspective, the OEQ is a good measure, however conceptual problems remain. The creation of a theory surrounding obligatory exercise involving multiple constituent factors would be a logical next step for this area of research.

Do exercise motives predict obligatory exercise?

Few studies have examined whether factors predicting obligatory exercise differ by gender. 303 participants completed the Obligatory Exercise Questionnaire and the Reason for Exercise Inventory. All variables correlated significantly. However, the correlation between exercising for fitness and obligatory exercise was significantly stronger in women than men. In women, obligatory exercise was predicted by exercising to improve body tone, fitness, and to enhance mood; in men, obligatory exercise was predicted by exercising to improve body tone, enjoyment, and perceived attractiveness. Implications for treatment are discussed.

Athletic identity and disordered eating in obligatory and non-obligatory runners

Athletic identity is the extent to which an individual identifies with being an athlete. Strong “running” role identity may contribute to increased restrictive dieting behaviours, potentially placing such individuals at risk for eating disorders. In this study, we examined differences in eating and exercise behaviours/attitudes and athletic identity in obligatory versus non-obligatory runners. Male and female participants completed a battery of questionnaires including the Eating Disorder Inventory, Obligatory Exercise Questionnaire (OEQ), and Athletic Identity Measurement Scale (AIMS). OEQ scores ≥50 were indicative of obligatory exercise. The non-obligatory runners (n = 82) and obligatory runners (n = 91) were compared on the various measures. Obligatory runners scored significantly higher (P < 0.002) on all of the eating attitudes/disorder measures, and the AIMS (P ≤ 0.006). Scores on the AIMS were correlated with all disordered eating measures (P < 0.05). Exercising to maintain identification with the running role may be associated with pathological eating and training practices.

The importance of the function of exercise in the relationship between obligatory exercise and eating and body image concerns

This study tested whether exercising in response to negative affect moderates the association between obligatory exercise and eating and body image psychopathology. Participants (n=226) completed the Eating Disorders Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q), Obligatory Exercise Questionnaire (OEQ), and a question assessing whether they ever exercise in response to negative affect. In total, 132 (58.4%) participants endorsed exercising in response to negative affect. Multiple regression analyses revealed significant main effects of negative affect motivated exercise, OEQ total scores, and gender on all four EDE-Q subscales and significant interactions of negative affect motivated exercise and OEQ scores on the Eating Concern, Shape Concern, and Weight Concern scales but not the Restraint scale of the EDE-Q. Obligatory exercisers may not demonstrate elevated eating and body image concerns in the absence of negative affect motivated exercise, providing further support of the importance of the function of exercise.

A Comparison Of Body Dissatisfaction And Obligatory Exercise Among Certified Fitness Instructors And Regular Exercisers

INTRODUCTION: Literature suggests that fitness professionals may feel additional pressure to meet societal expectations related to body image which may lead to greater risk of body dissatisfaction and obligatory exercise. PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to compare body dissatisfaction (BD) and obligatory exercise (OE) among certified fitness instructors and regular exercisers. SUBJECTS: There were 68 total subjects who participated in the study, 48 (mean age: 20.8 + 2.3) of those subjects (42 female and 6 male) were from the general population of exercisers, and 20 (mean age: 25.8 + 3.9) were certified fitness professionals (18 female, 2 male) including group exercise instructors and personal trainers. METHODS: All subjects completed a modified Body Dissatisfaction subscale of the EDI-2, the Obligatory Exercise Questionnaire, and the Body Contour Rating (BCR) scale in a private environment. Subjects also provided demographic data on exercise history, current exercise habits, and menstrual history. RESULTS: No significant difference (p>0.05) was found in body dissatisfaction between the general exercisers (mean BD= 28.4) and the certified professionals (mean BD= 29.5). No significant difference (p> 0.05) was found in obligatory exercise between the general exercisers (mean OE= 27.5) and the certified professionals (mean OE= 28.7). The BCR scale revealed similar physique misperceptions between the general exercisers (less then 25% were satisfied with current figure) and certified fitness professionals (less then 12% were satisfied with current figure). CONCLUSION: Although previous literature has suggested that fitness professionals may be at greater risk of body image and excessive exercise, the present study demonstrated that the certified fitness professional were less satisfied with their physique and preferred to have physiques that were not realistic.

Emotional reactions following exposure to idealized bodies predict unhealthy body change attitudes and behaviors in women and men

Objective We explored the extent to which changes in emotional states following exposure to images of idealized bodies predict unhealthy body change attitudes and behaviors in women and men, and whether particular psychological traits mediate these effects. Method One hundred thirty-three women and 93 men were assessed for unhealthy attitudes and behaviors related to body weight and muscles using the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 (EDI-2), the Obligatory Exercise Questionnaire, and the strategies to increase muscles subscale of the Body Change Inventory. Psychological traits assessed included body dissatisfaction (EDI-2), internalization of the thin/athletic ideal (Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-3), body comparison (Body Comparison Scale), self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Inventory), depression (Beck Depression Inventory-II), and identity confusion (Self-Concept Clarity Scale). Participants were then exposed to photographs of thin female models and muscular male models, and visual analogue scales were used to measure changes in postexposure state body dissatisfaction, anger, anxiety, and depression. Results Postexposure increases in state anger, anxiety, depression, and body dissatisfaction correlated with drive for thinness and disordered eating symptomatology in women, while postexposure increases in state body dissatisfaction correlated with muscle development in men. Analyses revealed that internalization and body comparison mediated these relationships, with trait body dissatisfaction, trait depression, self-esteem, and self-concept/identity confusion serving as mediators for women only. Conclusion These results are indicative of gender differences in: (a) reactions to idealized bodies; (b) psychological traits that predispose individuals to experience these reactions; and (c) types of body change behavior that are associated with these reactions.

Motivational antecedents of obligatory exercise: The influence of achievement goals and multidimensional perfectionism

Objectives The purpose of the present investigation was to determine the relationship between athletes’ goal orientations, elements of perfectionism, perceived ability and obligatory exercise behaviour. Method Two hundred and forty six British middle-distance runners completed a multi-sectional inventory containing the Obligatory Exercise Questionnaire [Pasman, L., & Thompson, J. K. (1988). Body image and eating disturbance in obligatory runners, obligatory weightlifters, and sedentary individuals. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 7, 759–769], the Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire [Duda, J. L., & Nicholls, J. G. (1989). The task and ego orientation in sport questionnaire: Psychometric properties. Unpublished manuscript], and the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (Frost, R. O., Marten, P. A., Lahart, C., & Rosenblate, R. (1990). The dimensions of perfectionism. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 14, 449–468). Results Regression analyses indicated that 31% of obligatory exercise behaviour could be explained by a combination of athletes’ goal orientations, perceived ability, concern about mistakes and high personal standards. Further regression analyses indicated that high ability and elements of perfectionism combined to explain 49% variance in the obligatory exercise behaviour of females, while achievement related overstriving (Covington, 1992), which included high task and ego goals and elements of neurotic perfectionism, combined to explain 27% variance in the obligatory exercise behaviour of male participants. Conclusion The positive association between achievement goals, perfectionistic striving and obligatory exercise behaviour in this sample of club runners seems to result from a combination of motivational variables that encourage a focus on self-validation and failure avoidance, and it is this psychological mechanism which appears to underpin this compulsive form of exercise.

Disordered Eating And Athletic Identity In Obligatory And Non-Obligatory Runners

Athletic Identity (AI) is the extent to which an individual identifies with being an athlete. The extent to which AI is an important part of a person's self-concept might determine the extent to which thoughts and behaviors associated with the running role will be expressed. Strong “running” role identity may contribute to increased restrictive dieting behaviors, therefore placing these individuals at risk for eating disorders. Few studies have attempted to measure AI and determine if a high AI contributes to disordered eating and obligatory exercise in runners. PURPOSE To examine differences in eating and exercise behaviors and attitudes and athletic identity in obligatory versus non-obligatory runners. METHODS 170 participants (80 males, 90 females) were recruited from running clubs and road races to complete a battery of questionnaires including: demographic information; Eating Attitudes Test-26; Eating Disorder Inventory, yielding subscales of Body Dissatisfaction (BD), Drive for Thinness (DT), Perfectionism (P), and Bulimia (B); Obligatory Exercise Questionnaire (OEQ); Negative Addiction Scale (NADS); and Athletic Identity Measurement Scale (AIMS), yielding subscales of Social Identity (SoID), Self-Identity (SeID), Exclusivity (Ex), and Negative Affectivity (NAff). Obligatory exercise was determined from OEQ scores ≥ 50. Non-obligatory (NOb) runners (n=68; 37.9 ± 11.3 yrs, BMI=23.2 ± 2.8) were compared to obligatory (Ob) runners (n=92; 35.1 ± 10.8 yrs, BMI=22.6 ± 2.7) on the various measures. RESULTS Multivariate analyses revealed that Ob runners scored significantly higher (Ps <0.025) on all of the eating attitudes/disorder measures as well as scoring significantly higher on the NADS (P<0.001) and all subscales of the AIMS (Ps≤ 0.006). CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that obligatory runners may be at increased risk for eating disorders. Additionally, the use of exercise to combat a weak or fragile identity and maintain identification with the running role can lead to pathological eating and training practices. In this sense, individuals assume the role of a runner as a form of self-definition via his or her complete control over training patterns and diet.

Does “excessive” or “compulsive” best describe exercise as a symptom of bulimia nervosa?

The criteria in the 4th ed. of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV; Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association) for bulimia nervosa include "excessive exercise" as an inappropriate compensatory behavior, suggesting that it is the quantity of the physical activity that is symptomatic, rather than its quality. The current study evaluated the hypothesis that psychological commitment to exercise (compulsive quality) will be more predictive of disordered eating attitudes and behaviors than the amount of time devoted to exercise (excessive quantity). Female (n = 162) and male (n = 103) undergraduates completed the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) subscales, the Obligatory Exercise Questionnaire (OEQ), and questions to assess the duration and frequency of exercise. Using multivariate analysis, the OEQ score was a positive predictor of disordered eating attitudes and behaviors, and exercise time was a negative predictor. "Compulsive" may be a better description than "excessive" in characterizing exercise as a symptom of bulimia nervosa.