Prevalence and correlates of exercise motivated by negative affect

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and correlates of exercising in response to negative affect. Method: Participants (N = 177) completed questionnaires assessing affect before and after exercise, exercise quality and quantity, eating behaviors and attitudes, body image, and self-esteem. Results: Fifty-eight percent of participants endorsed ever exercising in response to negative affect. As a group, these individuals were more likely to report self-induced vomiting, binge eating, and fasting over the previous 4 weeks. They also showed poorer body image and self-esteem, and their exercise was more obligatory and impairing. Groups did not differ on body mass index or quantity of exercise. Discussion: Negative affect motivated exercise appears to be a common phenomenon that is associated with eating disordered behavior.