Examining the impact of weight bias on the association between exercise identity and maladaptive exercise behaviors

Though exercise behaviors are typically viewed as health-promoting, certain forms of exercise (i.e., excessive exercise, unhealthy muscle-building behaviors) are considered maladaptive and are associated with negative physical and psychological outcomes. Psychosocial factors may put people at greater risk for engaging in maladaptive exercise. Based on deviance regulation theory, weight bias was examined as a potential moderator of the association between exercise identity and both excessive exercise and muscle-building behaviors. The current study is a secondary analysis of a larger data set investigating associations between athletic identity, exercise behaviors, and disordered eating behaviors. Hypotheses were examined using moderation testing in multiple linear regression. Participants (N = 225, 50.2% female) completed the Eating Pathology Symptoms Inventory as a measure of maladaptive exercise. Controlling for sex, age, athlete status, and body mass index, weight bias moderated the association between exercise identity and both excessive exercise and muscle-building behaviors. Among individuals with high exercise identity, higher weight bias was associated with increased maladaptive exercise behaviors. Individuals with higher exercise identity and higher weight bias may be at greatest risk of engaging in maladaptive exercise. Preventive interventions for maladaptive exercise behaviors may consider targeting exercise identity and weight bias. •Stronger exercise identity is associated with more maladaptive exercise behaviors.•Weight bias strengthened the association of identity and maladaptive exercise.•Targeting exercise identity may result in a reduction of maladaptive exercise.•Decreasing weight bias may lessen maladaptive muscle building behaviors.