Article

Eating disturbance, body image dissatisfaction, and reasons for exercising: Gender differences and correlational findings

  1. Karen McDonald Undergraduate Psychology Honors Student1,
  2. J. Kevin Thompson Ph.D. Associate Professor and Associate Director2,*

Article first published online: 13 FEB 2006

DOI: 10.1002/1098-108X(199204)11:3<289::AID-EAT2260110314>3.0.CO;2-F

Issue

International Journal of Eating Disorders

International Journal of Eating Disorders

Volume 11, Issue 3, pages 289–292, April 1992

Additional Information

How to Cite

McDonald, K. and Thompson, J. K. (1992), Eating disturbance, body image dissatisfaction, and reasons for exercising: Gender differences and correlational findings. Int. J. Eat. Disord., 11: 289–292. doi: 10.1002/1098-108X(199204)11:3<289::AID-EAT2260110314>3.0.CO;2-F

Author Information

  1. 1

    University of South Florida

  2. 2

    Department of Psychology, University of South Florida

*Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, 4202 Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33620-8200

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 13 FEB 2006
  2. Article first published online: 13 FEB 2006
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 26 NOV 1990

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Abstract

Samples of physically active males (n = 700) and females (n = 91) were assessed for eating disturbance, body dissatisfaction, self-esteem, and reasons for engaging in exercise. The results indicated that women's motivation for exercise was more often related to weight and tone reasons than men. In addition, for both genders, exercising for weight, tone, and attractiveness reasons was highly correlated with other measures of disturbance. However, exercising because of health was positively associated with self-esteem for both sexes. For men only, exercising for fitness was related to lower levels of eating disturbance and higher self-esteem. Overall activity level was related to greater eating disturbance for women, but less body dissatisfaction for men. The findings are discussed with regard to the importance of assessing gender differences in reasons for exercise activity and the detection of at-risk motivations for athleticism that may be used to identify individuals who might develop eating disorders and/or body image disturbance.

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