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Obligatory Exercise and Eating Attitudes-A Pilot Study on Polish Adolescents
Magdalena Jaroch-Lidzbarska1, Konrad Hryniewicz2, Piotr Sawicki1
1Department of Physical Culture, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Kazimierza Górskiego 1, 80-336 Gdansk, Poland.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
|July 28, 2026
Summary
Adolescents with eating disorders exhibit more compulsive exercise behaviors and fixation than athletes, who exercise more for social and health reasons. This highlights psychological differences in exercise motives between these groups.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sports Science
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Investigates obligatory exercise differences between adolescents with eating disorders and athletes.
- Pilot study comparing psychological motivations and compulsive exercise characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To differentiate exercise patterns and psychological drivers in adolescents with eating disorders versus athletes.
- To inform clinical assessment of problematic exercise behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of 45 adolescents with eating disorders and 45 athletes (aged 14-20).
- Utilized Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), Exercise Dependence Questionnaire (EDQ), Obligatory Exercise Questionnaire (OEQ), and Inventory of Physical Activity Objectives (IPAO).
- Employed Mann-Whitney U test for between-group comparisons; assessed internal consistency of scales.
Main Results:
- Adolescents with eating disorders showed higher problematic eating, exercise fixation, withdrawal symptoms, and weight-control exercise than athletes.
- Athletes reported greater exercise for social and health reasons.
- Significant differences in psychological motives and compulsive exercise characteristics were observed, with moderate to very large effect sizes.
Conclusions:
- Adolescents with eating disorders and athletes differ significantly in psychological characteristics and motives for exercise, not just volume.
- Findings suggest exercise motives are key differentiators, informing clinical practice for problematic exercise assessment.
- Further research with larger, controlled studies is needed to confirm these pilot findings.
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