Academic major moderates the relationship between physical activity and disordered eating in female undergraduates

Prior research has examined independent associations between physical activity volume (PA), body dissatisfaction, and academic major type with disordered eating behavior severity in undergraduates. However, a comprehensive understanding of potential interactive relationships among these variables in female undergraduates is lacking. Therefore, this study examined whether disordered eating behavior severity varies as a function of academic major (health- vs non-health-related), PA (total MET-min/wk) and body dissatisfaction in female undergraduates (N = 116, 59% health-related majors). Linear regression revealed that body dissatisfaction was positively associated with disordered eating behavior severity regardless of academic major. However, academic major moderated the relationship between PA and disordered eating behavior severity. Specifically, we observed a positive relationship between PA and disordered eating behavior severity among non-health-related majors but not among health-related majors. Future research should examine potential mechanisms underlying these effects to inform health recommendations aimed at preventing or addressing disordered eating behaviors in female undergraduate students.