The Dimensions of Obligatory Exercise

Abstract

The Obligatory Exercise Questionnaire (OEQ) is one of several instruments used to measure excessive exercise activity, especially as it relates to eating disorders. This measure was subjected to factor analyses to determine its possible multidimensionality. Two hundred fifty high school students (133 females) completed the OEQ and the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI). Three useful factors emerged from the OEQ: Emotional Element of Exercise; Exercise Frequency and Intensity; and Exercise Preoccupation. Subscales derived from these factors all had higher correlations with the EDI and its subscales than did the total OEQ. These results highlight the complexity of the eating disorder-exercise connection.