Sociocultural Risk Factors for Compulsive Exercise: A Prospective Study of Adolescents

Abstract

Sociocultural risk factors for compulsive exercise:A prospective study of adolescents AbstractThe risk factors for compulsive exercise are unknown. This study aims to explore longitudinal sociocultural risk factors for compulsive exercise, using a 12 month prospective design. A sample of 332 male and female adolescents (aged 13-15 years at baseline) completed self-report measures of sociocultural risk factors and compulsive exercise at baseline and eating disorder psychopathology and compulsive exercise at 12-month follow-up assessment. Hierarchical regressions found that family and peer messages to become more muscular predicted compulsive exercise in boys, whilst feeling pressure from the media to be thin was a significant predictor of compulsive exercise in girls. These relationships remained significant when controlling for eating disorder psychopathology, but became nonsignificant when initial levels of compulsive exercise were entered into the model.The findings suggest that sociocultural risk factors may contribute to the development of compulsive exercise but future research should utilise a younger sample and employ a longer follow-up period to identify true longitudinal effects.

Dimensions of Compulsive Exercise across Eating Disorder Diagnostic Subtypes and the Validation of the Spanish Version of the Compulsive Exercise Test

“…Meyer et al’s (2011) model has been supported by several studies in both community (Goodwin et al, 2011, 2012, 2014a,b, 2016) and clinical adolescent groups (Formby et al, 2014; Noetel et al, 2016; Swenne, 2016). Fewer studies have examined a multidimensional function of exercise in adults with EDs.…”

Body Image Dissatisfaction and Eating‐Related Psychopathology in Trans Individuals: A Matched Control Study

“…In light of the association between being male and having greater muscle mass, it may be that some trans males will be at risk for other types of body image‐related behaviours, such as body building and excessive exercise and the development of symptoms of muscular dysmorphia or dysmorphic disorders (Nieuwoudt, Zhou, Coutts, & Booker, ). This is well‐documented in the cisgender population with sociocultural messages promoting becoming muscular, predicting compulsive exercise in boys (Goodwin, Haycraft & Meyer, ); and indeed body building, at extreme levels, has been termed ‘bigorexia’ (Mosley, ). Relatedly, for trans females, the influence of desired gender on drive for thinness may reflect what is seen in the general population, with some trans females internalizing the same ideals that some cisgender females do with regard to the ideal female body, possibly because their female identity has been present for many years (reflected in the older age of the trans females attending clinic) (Hoek, ; Witcomb et al, ).…”

Body dissatisfaction and disordered eating in trans people: A systematic review of the literature

“…In a cisgender population, appearance comparisons and internalisations are associated with muscularity-orientated body dissatisfaction and risky body change behaviour (Karazsia & Crowther, 2010). This is evidenced by Goodwin, Haycraft and Meyer (2014) who found that peer and family messages to become more muscular predicted compulsive exercise in teenage boys. In light of the review's findings and previous literature, clinicians working with trans people must be mindful that body dissatisfaction may be driven by gender dysphoria and also by culturally emphasised genderspecific ideals (which are probably unattainable) in order to achieve a more feminine or masculine body shape, depending on their gender identity.…”