Physical activity in adolescent girls at risk of developing an eating disorder

Abstract

The literature has shown that physical activity can be a risk factor and / or a maintenance factor in eating disorders (ED). The objective of this research was to analyze the relationship between the practice of physical activity and the risk of developing an ED; Analyzing the frequency, intensity and duration, the type of activity and the reasons for carrying out that activity. Method: the sample consisted of 1130 adolescent girls between 11 and 19 years old (M = 13.94, SD = 1.35); They completed the Eating Attitude Test (EAT-40), the body dissatisfaction subscale of the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI-2) and the School Health Behavior Inventory. Results: The adolescents with lower risk of developing an ED had higher average scores in the performance of activity with the motive of having fun, being in good shape and seeing friends that the adolescents with risk of developing an ED, who had higher scores in practice of physical activity to lose weight and burn calories. Conclusions: knowing the characteristics of the practice of physical activity related to ED, allows to generate effective preventive proposals, prevent these disorders from being maintained and even become chronic.