Moderating effect of physical exercise between perfectionism and eating disorder among female college students

Objective To explore the moderating effect of physical exercise in relationship between perfectionism and eating disorder among female college students.Methods A total of 1 938 female college students from three universities in Shandong province participated in this study and completed Chinese Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale,Eating Disorders Inventory and Physical Activity Rating Scale.Results All the 132 female students met the criteria of eating disorders,the estimated prevalence rate was 5.11%.The prevalence was highest among senior students.No significant differences were found in eating disorder prevalence regarding to living residence and college major.Overweight students were more likely to have eating disorders than normal and lean group.Perfectionism positively associated with eating disorders (β=0.431,P<0.01);Significant interaction between perfectionism and physical exercise was found in the prediction of eating disorder (B=-0.106,P<0.01);perfectionism had a significant predictive effect on eating disorders when exercise was insufficient (B=0.53,t =5.93,P<0.01);the effect of perfectionism on eating disorders decreased when exercise was sufficient (B=032,t=2.37,P<0.05).Conclusion Physical exercise mediates the effects of perfectionism on eating disorders.