Detecting pathological exercise in college men: An investigation using latent profile analysis

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sports Medicine
• Eating Disorder Research

Background:

• Pathological exercise is a concerning behavior linked to eating disorders.
• Limited research exists on pathological exercise characteristics specifically in men.
• College-aged men and women share similar risks for developing eating disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify subgroups of college men who exercise regularly based on eating disorder attitudes and behaviors.
• To compare these subgroups regarding exercise motivation and general psychopathology.
• To investigate the characteristics associated with pathological exercise in this demographic.

Main Methods:

• 224 college men who regularly exercise completed self-report questionnaires.
• Latent profile analysis was employed to identify distinct subgroups.
• Profiles were analyzed for differences in eating disorder psychopathology, exercise motivation, and general psychopathology (depression, anxiety).

Main Results:

• A three-profile solution emerged from the analysis.
• These profiles represented groups with eating psychopathology, low psychopathology, and high exercise frequency without eating disorder features.
• Significant differences were observed in exercise motivation and psychopathology across the profiles.

Conclusions:

• Exercise frequency alone is insufficient to identify pathological exercise in college men.
• Body dissatisfaction and specific exercise motivation styles are crucial factors.
• These findings highlight the need for a multifaceted approach to identifying and addressing pathological exercise behaviors in college men.