Abstract:

The current study aimed at identifying correlational status between exercise dependence and eating attitudes and behaviors among those who performed regular physical activities. The study designed in descriptive model was performed with relational screening model. The sample of the study was composed of 375 individuals who performed regular physical activities at least three days a week in Afyonkarahisar Province. The data of the study were collected using a questionnaire consisted of Personal Information Form, Exercise Dependence Scale and Eating Attitudes Scale. The data were analyzed with SPSS.  The distribution of the data was assessed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. As a result of test; it was seen that the data did not follow a normal distribution and thus were analyzed with non-parametric tests. For the data analyses; descriptive statistics, Mann Whitney U-Test and Spearman Correlation coefficients were employed. According to the findings obtained from the analyses; it was found that % 4,8 percent of the subjects who performed physical activities regularly were exercise dependent; % 44,53 percent were symptomatic, % 50,67 percent were asymptomatic. Besides, it was found that 68.53% of the subjects have normal eating behavior while 31.34% of the subjects have abnormal eating attitudes and behaviors. There was no statistically significant difference in terms of exercise dependence according to gender but there was statistically significant difference in terms of eating attitudes and behaviors. Besides, it was determined that sports history of the individuals affected their exercise dependence status significantly. As a result, it was seen that those who performed physical activities regularly were exercise dependent and there was a positive correlation between exercise dependence and eating attitudes and behaviors.

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