Exercise dependence and thinness- and muscularity-oriented eating disorder symptomatology in adult women: A network perspective

Background: Previous studies established the associations between exercise dependence and thinness-oriented eating disorder (ED) symptomatology in adult women. However, prior studies mainly relied on latent variable approaches, and the symptom-level interplay between exercise dependence and ED symptomatology remains largely unknown. Also, women have increased pressure to be muscular. Thus, research should be extended to muscularity-oriented ED symptomatology. Objectives: Given network analysis has emerged as a powerful tool for understanding complex symptom-level relationships, which contributes to more targeted interventions and prevention, the present study aimed to use network analysis to investigate the interconnections between exercise dependence and thinness- and muscularity-oriented disordered eating in adult women. Methods: We recruited 599 Chinese adult women online (M_age = 29.03 years). Network analysis was conducted to identify network structure and central and bridging symptoms. Results: Five communities were identified (e.g., exercise dependence, strict diet rules, and concerns about weight/shape and eating/foods). Several nodes were identified as central in the network (e.g., time, tolerance, and reduction of exercise dependence). Also, symptoms, such as food restriction for shape or weight concerns and food restriction, were essential in bridging exercise dependence and thinness- and muscularity-oriented disordered eating. Conclusion: Our findings provide empirical evidence of the symptom-level interconnections between exercise dependence and thinness- and muscularity-oriented disordered eating in adult women from a network perspective, which contributes to the design of management and intervention programs for reducing exercise dependence-related ED symptomatology in women.