HOW MUCH EXERCISE IS TOO MUCH EXERCISE: A LOOK AT EXERCISE ADDICTION IN COLLEGE STUDENTS

Exercise is essential for physical, mental, and emotional health; however, there is a significant distinction between healthy and unhealthy exercise habits. While the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests approximately 150 minutes of physical activity per week, individuals who engage in more time than that may develop obsessional exercise habits. Some individuals develop exercise addiction, which is described as compulsive exercise characterized by intrinsic or obligatory motivation, psychological dependence, increased physiological tolerance, and prioritizing exercise over life. Compulsive exercise can result in the development of other mental health issues such as muscle and body dysmorphia, depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (Vieria, 2021). My project focuses specifically on the manifestation of exercise addiction in male and female college students, and how it affects body and muscle dysmorphia, self-esteem, and body image. Undergraduate students from California State University, Fullerton completed a survey about their exercise habits, self-esteem, body image, and body and muscle dysmorphia. The goal is to understand that there is a correlation between exercise habits and mental health regarding body image, and identify any potential gender differences. Using t test and analysis of variance (ANOVA), the results of the surveys are analyzed to determine the potential differences between male and female college students’ perceptions of body image, self-esteem, body dysmorphia, and muscle dysmorphia. With this information I hope to bring awareness about unhealthy exercise habits and potential risks for such behaviors.