Relationship among body image, exercise behavior, and exercise dependence symptoms

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship among body image, exercise behavior, body mass index (BMI), and primary exercise dependence symptoms in physically active individuals. Method: Male and female university students (N = 474) completed self-report measures of exercise behavior, height, weight, exercise dependence symptoms, social physique anxiety, and body satisfaction. Results: Hierarchical multiple regressions with forced block entry by gender were conducted to examine the effects of exercise behavior, BMI, and exercise dependence symptoms on body satisfaction and social physique anxiety. For females, BMI was the strongest positive predictor of body dissatisfaction and social physique anxiety. For males, exercise behavior was the strongest negative predictor of body dissatisfaction and social physique anxiety. Discussion: It was concluded that after controlling for the effects of BMI and exercise behavior, primary exercise dependence symptoms were not strong predictors on body image, especially for females. (C) 2002 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.