The relationship between body evaluation and investment, dietary restraint, and exercise dependence in university students

Abstract

Compared to body image evaluation (body dis/satisfaction), investment (or importance) in one's body has been largely ignored in the research. Limited research has indicated that investment is associated with psychological outcomes such as body dissatisfaction, social anxiety, and depression. Even less research has investigated its relationship to behaviours (i.e., disordered eating symptoms, clothing choices). Dietary restraint (DR) and physical activity (PA) may also be associated with evaluation of and investment in one's body, as they are often used to achieve the ideal body. The current study examined the relationship between body image (evaluation and investment) and DR and PA. University men and women (N = 235) completed a series of questionnaires measuring the evaluation of and investment in one's body, DR, and PA. Separate regressions by gender were conducted to predict DR and PA from evaluation and investment controlling for BMI and social physique anxiety. For women, the overall models predicting DR and PA were significant (DR: F(4, 147) = 5.82, R2adj = .12; PA: F(4, 151) = 4.37, R2adj = .08). For DR, investment was a significant predictor, whereas, body evaluation was a significant predictor of PA. The overall models predicting DR and PA were not significant in men. The results highlight the importance of assessing both the evaluation of and investment in one's body, as these constructs may impact health behaviours differently.