Interpersonal Functioning and Problematic Exercise Behaviours in Undergraduate Men

Disordered eating behaviours are prevalent in men, though men have traditionally been understudied in the field of eating disorders. While a thin body ideal is an established risk factor of eating disorders in women, a mesomorphic body ideal with increased muscles and decreased fat may be more relevant in understanding eating disorders in men. Based on the interpersonal model and existing literature, the current study examined the association between interpersonal functioning and problematic exercise behaviours, specifically drive for muscularity, exercise dependence, and compulsive exercise in a sample of undergraduate men.

Undergraduate men completed measures via a secure online platform. Part I was a cross-sectional design while Part II was a micro-longitudinal approach, consisting of three time points in a day.

Findings revealed a cross-sectional association between social distress and drive for muscularity and between social distress and exercise dependence. Additionally, compulsive exercise was prospectively associated with social support dissatisfaction.

These results corroborate previous findings on the association between interpersonal functioning and disordered eating behaviours and shed light on potential clinical targets for problematic exercise among college men.