The relationship between exercise addiction, eating disorders, and insecure attachment styles among recreational exercisers

The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between exercise addiction, eating disorders, and pathological attachment styles among habitual exercisers. Approximately half of individuals addicted to exercise also exhibit maladaptive eating behaviors. Insecure attachment styles have been associated with these two pathologies. However, the exact nature of this relationship is not fully understood and requires further research. A total of 405 habitual athletes who exercised for a minimum of four hours per week for at least one year were recruited from social media groups dedicated to exercise, as well as through ads posted at fitness centers and with professional trainers. Participants completed three psychological inventories, including measures of eating disorder symptoms, exercise addiction, and attachment styles. Results indicated that attachment anxiety was solely related to symptoms of maladaptive eating behaviors, while attachment avoidance was only associated with symptoms of exercise addiction. Findings suggest that individuals with anxious attachment may be more prone to body image concerns, whereas those with avoidance attachment may be more likely to engage in compulsive exercise behaviors. These results have implications for scholars and practitioners in terms of examining dispositional risk factors for insecure attachment styles and assessing specific pathological and addictive behaviors among recreational exercisers.