Abstract
Objective
To explore the motivational transfer between physical activity (PA) and body-related
eating cues, through self-determined motivations to exercise (SDM Ex) and regulate
eating (SDM Eat).
Design
Cross-sectional.
Setting
Participants completed an online inventory on PA and eating behaviors and motivations
in 2017–2018.
Participants
A convenience sample of 300 adults (71% women; 34.4 ± 10.7 years; 23.2 ± 3.4 kg/m2), recruited through Facebook and cooperating Portuguese gyms.
Variables Measured
Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (independent), SDM Ex and SDM Eat (mediators),
and body-related eating cues (dependent) variables assessed through validated self-reported
measures.
Analysis
Structural equation modeling and serial mediation procedures were used to test the
hypothetical model.
Results
Physical activity was positively associated with SDM Ex, which was, in turn, associated
with SDM Eat, which in turn positively predicted reliance on hunger/satiety cues and
(more strongly) body–food choice congruence. The path through exercise and eating
motivations was the leading mediating path in the PA and body–food choice congruence
association.
Conclusions and Implications
This study lends support to the motivational transfer hypothesis between SDM Ex and
SDM Eat in normal-weight adults, suggesting that more physically active individuals
present higher SDM Ex and SDM Eat, and therefore, greater attentiveness to body-related
eating cues and necessities. Encouraging PA might also improve individuals’ eating
self-regulation, especially if self-determined motivations are targeted in future
interventions.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: September 15, 2020
Accepted:
August 11,
2020
Footnotes
Conflict of Interest Disclosure: The authors have not stated any conflicts of interest.
Identification
Copyright
© 2020 Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
