Associations between physical activity and eating-disorder psychopathology among individuals categorised with binge-eating disorder and bulimia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE: While physical activity (PA) is known to have positive effects on psychological and physical health, little is understood about the association between non-compensatory PA (ie, not compulsive or intended to control weight or shape) and psychopathology among individuals with eating-disorder features. The present study explored associations between non-compensatory PA and psychopathology among adults categorised with bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge-eating disorder (BED). We further explored the association between compensatory PA and psychopathology among those who engaged in that form of "purging."
METHOD: Participants were recruited through Mechanical Turk, an online recruitment platform. Individuals categorised with core features of BED (N = 138) and BN (N = 138) completed measures of eating-disorder psychopathology (Eating Disorder Examination - Questionnaire [EDE-Q] and Questionnaire on Eating and Weight Patterns - 5), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire - 2) and PA (both non-compensatory and compensatory, measured using the EDE-Q and Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire).
RESULTS: Engagement in non-compensatory PA was associated with lower frequency of binge-eating episodes, lower overvaluation of shape/weight and lower dissatisfaction with shape/weight (Ps < .05). Engagement in compensatory PA was related to greater frequency of binge-eating episodes and greater restraint (Ps < .05). DISCUSSION: Non-compensatory PA was associated with lower eating-disorder psychopathology. This suggests that PA is an important, though understudied, health behaviour among persons with features of BED and BN. Future research should examine the potential role of non-compensatory PA in interventions for individuals with core features of these eating disorders.