Obligatory Exercise and Eating Pathology in College Females: Replication and Development of a Structural Model

Although disordered eating behaviors and obligatory exercise are relatively common among undergraduate females, many questions about their etiology remain unanswered. In the current study, structural equation modeling was used to investigate whether a model that was previously developed with a clinical sample would also fit for a sample of nonclinical college females. Further, the potential mediating role of reasons for exercise was evaluated. Results indicated that the original structural model fit the nonclinical sample extremely well. Specifically, addictiveness, obsessive-compulsiveness, and exercise behavior were directly associated with obligatory exercise. Further, obligatory exercise was directly associated with eating and weight restriction, and reasons for exercise mediated this relationship. These data suggest that the aforementioned variables are predictive of obligatory exercise and eating pathology in both clinical and nonclinical samples, and that reasons for exercise is important in understanding the complex relations among disordered eating and exercise attitudes and behaviors.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Education

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Thome, Jennifer Lynn

Contributors dc:contributor

• Espelage, Dorothy L.

• Women's Studies

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI3153442

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/79809