Relationship between eating attitudes and behavior regarding physical exercise in adults
Abstract
Introduction and objectives: The purpose of this study is to verify the association between eating attitudes indicative of eating disorders (ED) and exercise behaviors in in individuals who practice strength training (ST), cross-training (CT) and functional training (FT). Material and methods: This research was an observational and cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach and correlational technique. The Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) was used to assess eating attitudes and the Commitment Exercise Scale (CES) to assess behaviors related to physical exercise of subjects practicing ST, CT e FT. The questionnaires were distributed in 2 gyms in the city of Caxias do Sul-RS and 3 gyms in the city of Porto Alegre-RS. Interested parties signed a of free informed consent term agreeing to participate in the study and then answered the instruments individually. Results: 174 subjects were evaluated, mostly male (53,4%); 37 individuals classified with an abnormal eating pattern also practiced excessive exercise, demonstrating an association between the variables (X2= 5.37; p=0.02), in addition our results indicated a 2,7 times chance of having ED when exercising in excess (Odds Ratio= 2.7 ((1.14-6.16)). Conclusion: The results of this study prove the existence of a statistically significant association between eating attitudes indicative of ED and behaviors that indicate excessive physical exercise.
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