Understanding momentary associations between body dissatisfaction and exercise in binge-spectrum eating disorders

Purpose Maladaptive exercise is common among individuals with binge-spectrum eating disorders. One mechanism that may drive engagement in exercise in this population is state body dissatisfaction. However, no studies to date have examined prospective, momentary relationships between state body dissatisfaction and exercise. Methods Adults with binge-spectrum eating disorders ( N = 58) completed a 7–14-day ecological momentary assessment protocol assessing exercise and state body dissatisfaction several times per day. Multilevel models were used to evaluate prospective reciprocal associations between state body dissatisfaction and exercise. Mixed models examined trajectories of change in state body dissatisfaction pre- and post-exercise. Additional models examined exercise type (maladaptive vs. adaptive) as a moderator. Results Momentary increases (i.e., greater than one’s average levels) in state body dissatisfaction at any given timepoint did not prospectively predict engagement in exercise at the next nearest timepoint. Exercise at any given timepoint did not prospectively predict momentary increases in state body dissatisfaction. State body dissatisfaction was found to increase in the initial hours preceding an exercise episode (linear estimate, β = − 0.012, p = 0.004). State body dissatisfaction did not significantly change in the hours following engagement in exercise. Exercise type did not moderate these associations. Conclusion If replicated, our results may suggest that momentary increases in state body dissatisfaction may not be associated with exercise behaviors in individuals with binge-spectrum eating disorders. Level of evidence Level V: Opinions of authorities, based on descriptive studies, narrative reviews, clinical experience, orreports of expert committees.