Prevalence of Disordered Eating and Muscle Dysmorphia in College Students by Predominant Exercise Type

Authors

Taylor E. Lechner, Bowling Green State UniversityFollow
Emily M. Gill, Bowling Green State UniversityFollow
Madeleine J. Drees, Bowling Green State UniversityFollow
Carrie M. Hamady, Bowling Green State UniversityFollow
Mary-Jon Ludy, Bowling Green State UniversityFollow

Abstract

International Journal of Exercise Science 12(4): 1001-1012, 2019. Many young adults experience distorted body image and decreased body satisfaction. To attain more “ideal” bodies, negative alterations in eating and/or exercise habits are common. This study’s objective was to compare disordered eating and muscle dysmorphia in undergraduates who participate in aerobic-, anaerobic-, or flexibility-predominant exercise; mixed exercise; or no exercise. One hundred twelve undergraduate students (age 21.2 ± 4.8 years; BMI 25.0 ± 4.6 kg/m²) were recruited from the student union and recreation center. The Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory (MDDI), and demographic/exercise questions were administered via iPad. Exercisers reported ≥ 150 minutes/week of exercise. Predominant exercise type was defined as ≥ 50% reported minutes from one type. Between-sex differences were assessed by t-tests, while exercise type differences were assessed using analysis of variance. Disordered eating was exhibited in 25.9% of undergraduates. Females had higher EAT-26 total and dieting subscale scores (p< 0.05 for both). EAT-26 total, dieting subscale, and bulimia and food preoccupation subscales were higher in aerobic-predominant compared to anaerobic-predominant exercisers (p< 0.05 for all). Muscle dysmorphia was exhibited in 7.1% of undergraduates. Males had higher MDDI total and drive for size subscale scores, while females scored higher on the appearance intolerance subscale (p< 0.05 for all). Aerobic- and anaerobic-predominant exercisers had higher MDDI total and functional impairment subscale scores than non-exercisers (p< 0.05). Non-exercisers were largely unaffected by disordered eating and muscle dysmorphia. Females and aerobic-predominant exercisers exhibited more symptoms of disordered eating, while males exhibited more symptoms of muscle dysmorphia. University campuses should consider targeted education for these groups.

Recommended Citation

Lechner, Taylor E.; Gill, Emily M.; Drees, Madeleine J.; Hamady, Carrie M.; and Ludy, Mary-Jon (2019) "Prevalence of Disordered Eating and Muscle Dysmorphia in College Students by Predominant Exercise Type," International Journal of Exercise Science: Vol. 12 : Iss. 4, Pages 989 - 1000.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.70252/EKEY7157
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijes/vol12/iss4/13