The Effect of Exercise Motivation on Eating Disorders in Bodybuilders in Social Networks: The Mediating Role of State Anxiety

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between exercise motivation and eating disorder and the mediating effect of anxiety in physical exercise. Athletes are in a social network, and the different human-machine relationships and situations generated in this may produce different sports motivations and anxiety states for athletes. The exercise motivation, status-trait anxiety, and eating disorder of 1076 fitness subjects were described and analyzed by questionnaire survey, and the survey data were statistically analyzed by means of correlation, regression, and structural equation model. The results showed that the overall detection rate of eating disorder was 56.3%. The overall detection rate of eating disorder was different between males and females. Exercise motivation has a significant positive correlation with state anxiety and eating disorder. Exercise motivation has a significant positive predictive effect on eating disorder, exercise motivation has a significant positive predictive effect on state anxiety, and state anxiety has a significant positive predictive effect on eating disorder. The mediating effect shows that state anxiety can partially mediate the relationship between exercise motivation and eating disorder, exercise motivation has a direct impact on eating disorder, and state anxiety has an indirect impact on eating disorder. In physical exercise, the exercisers’ bad exercise motivation will produce too much anxiety. Poor exercise motivation and anxiety can lead to symptoms of eating disorders. In physical exercise, we should adopt reasonable value orientation and positive psychological suggestion and encourage healthy and reasonable eating behavior, which will help to prevent and treat eating disorders.

The association between motivation and diet quality in older runners

“…Among the motivators associated with the consumption of a food product, we can mention nutritional value, versatility, health benefits, body weight, taste/texture, religion, culture, social-ization, cost or agricultural sustainability [47,48]. Regarding physical exercise, in some cases it has been noted that motivation to exercise has a significant positive correlation with state anxiety and eating disorders [49]. Additionally, a systematic review concluded that the most prevalent motives in adults that perform recreational running were physical health, psychological motives, and personal achievement [50].…”

Advances in the Relationship Between Physical Activity and Eating Disorders

“…Snyder (1990) and others stated in their study that psychological self is positively correlated with exercise, and that compared to those who do not exercise, those who participate in physical activity on a regular basis will have more positive selfperceptions and evaluations would be more positive. And this positive appraisal leads to an effective reduction in the risk of developing eating disorders and alleviates clinical symptoms in people with eating disorders [28]. This perspective stems largely from the empirical evidence that physical activity plays a positive and protective role in promoting healthy behaviors and reducing risky behaviors in adolescents [29].…”