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Inspiration or Thinspiration: the Association Among Problematic Internet Use, Exercise Dependence, and Eating Disorder Risk

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Abstract

Problematic Internet use (PIU) has been associated with eating disorder (ED) risk factors and pathological patterns of exercise (e.g., exercise dependence (EXD)). Few studies have empirically examined the co-occurrence and relationship among PIU, EXD, and EDs simultaneously. Thus, the primary purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence and co-occurrence of PIU, EXD, and ED in a population-based sample of women. The secondary purpose was to categorically examine the relationship of negative affect with PIU, EXD, and ED symptom scores while controlling for negative affect. A sample of 898 women (M age = 27.6) completed questionnaire measures of ED, EXD, and PUI. Overall, 14.32% reported PIU, 1.96% stated EXD, and 35.07% reported ED risk. Correlations among negative affect and PIU, EDS, and EXD scores were observed. Results suggest comorbid relationships may exist among these increasingly prevalent behaviors and have implications in decisions concerning the prevention and treatment of EDs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Health and Exercise Sciences, Faculty of Health and Social Development, University of British Columbia Okanagan, ART360, 1147 Research Road, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V7, Canada

    Danika A. Quesnel

  2. California State University Monterey Bay, Seaside, CA, USA

    Brian Cook, Kellen Murray & Jessica Zamudio

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  1. Danika A. Quesnel
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  2. Brian Cook
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Correspondence to Danika A. Quesnel.

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All procedures followed were in accordance with the ethical standards of the responsible committee on human experimentation (institutional and national) and with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2000 (5). Informed consent was obtained from all patients for being included in the study.

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Quesnel, D.A., Cook, B., Murray, K. et al. Inspiration or Thinspiration: the Association Among Problematic Internet Use, Exercise Dependence, and Eating Disorder Risk. Int J Ment Health Addiction 16, 1113–1124 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-017-9834-z

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