Exploring the Interrelationship Between Exercise Addiction and Eating Disorders: The Mediating Roles of Self-Esteem and Body Image Dissatisfaction

Exercise addiction and disordered eating attitudes often co-occur, sharing psychological factors such as body image dissatisfaction and low self-esteem. However, the mechanisms underlying their interrelationship remain underexplored. This study aimed to examine whether body image dissatisfaction and self-esteem mediate the relationship between disordered eating attitudes and exercise addiction. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 635 physically active individuals (15–64 years). Participants completed the Exercise Addiction Inventory (EAI), Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26), Self-Esteem Scale (SES), and Body Image Scale (BIS). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the mediation hypothesis. Results: Disordered eating attitudes were positively associated with both body image dissatisfaction and exercise addiction. SEM analysis revealed that body image dissatisfaction significantly mediated the relationship between eating attitudes and exercise addiction (indirect effect = 0.055, p = 0.001), while self-esteem did not show a significant mediating effect (indirect effect = 0.006, p = 0.391). Conclusions: Body image dissatisfaction mediates the relationship between disordered eating attitudes and exercise addiction. These findings highlight the importance of addressing body image concerns in interventions aimed at preventing maladaptive eating and exercise behaviors.