Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/28830
Title: The emergence of Exercise Addiction, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, and other image-related psychopathological correlates in Fitness Settings: A cross sectional study
Contributor(s): Corazza, Ornella (author); Simonato, Pierluigi (author); Demetrovics, Zsolt (author); Mooney, Roisin (author); van de Ven, Katinka  (author)orcid ; Roman-Urrestarazu, Andres (author); Racmolnar, Lili (author); De Luca, Ilaria (author); Cinosi, Eduardo (author); Santacroce, Rita (author); Marini, Massimo (author); Wellsted, David (author); Sullivan, Keith (author); Bersani, Giuseppe (author); Martinotti, Giovanni (author)
Publication Date: 2019-04-03
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213060
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/28830
Abstract: Introduction In a society that perpetuates the strive for a perfect appearance, a fit body has become synonymous with success, but simultaneously hard to achieve. This represents a fertile ground for the development of Exercise Addiction (EA) alongside other disorders, such as Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). This study aims to explore the diffusion of EA in fitness settings in the United Kingdom, Italy, Netherlands, Hungary and the previously unexplored association with appearance anxiety, BDD, self-esteem and the use of fitness supplements.
Methods A large cross-sectional sample (N = 1711) was surveyed in fitness settings using the Exercise Addiction Inventory (EAI), Appearance Anxiety Inventory (AAI) and Rosenberg’s Self Esteem Scale (RSE) in addition to questions surrounding the use of fitness supplements.
Results Compulsive exercise, appearance anxiety and low self-esteem were present in this sample according to the psychometric measures used (EAI, AAI, RSE). 11.7% scored over the cut off for EA, with alarming peaks in the Netherlands (20.9%) and the United Kingdom (16.1%). 38.5% were found at risk of BDD, mainly female (47.2%). 39.8% used fitness enhancing supplements without medical consultation (95.5%). This cohort of supplement users scored higher in both EAI and AAI. The logistic regression model revealed a strong association between the consumption of sport products and the level of EA across the sample with an odds ratio (OR) of 3.03. Other co-variable factors among female were appearance anxiety (AAI; OR 1.59) and to a lesser extent self-esteem (RSE) (OR 1.08).
Conclusions This study identified a high risk of EA, appearance anxiety and BDD amongst a cohort of gym users internationally. The previously-unexplored association between these disorders and the unsupervised use of a variety of fitness products, including illicit drugs, highlights the need for informed and integrated responses targeting such vulnerable individuals.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Source of Publication: PLoS One, 14(4), p. 1-17
Publisher: Public Library of Science
Place of Publication: United States of America
ISSN: 1932-6203
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: 111799 Public Health and Health Services not elsewhere classified
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: 440201 Causes and prevention of crime
420606 Social determinants of health
441011 Sociology of health
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: 920414 Substance Abuse
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: 200413 Substance abuse
200201 Determinants of health
230402 Crime prevention
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal
Appears in Collections:Journal Article
School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences

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