Exercise and eating habits of university students in relation to their body image and life satisfaction
Authors
McCloskey, Marylouise
Issue Date
2019
Degree
BA (Hons) in Psychology
Publisher
Dublin Business School
Rights holder
Rights
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Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the variables exercise, eating habits (emotional under and over eating), body esteem (weight, appearance, attribution) and life satisfaction between male and female university students. An online survey containing demographic questions and Godin’s Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire, The Adult Eating Behaviour Questionnaire, The Body Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults and The Satisfaction with Life Scale was completed by 133 students. A quantitative, correlational and cross sectional design found a significant difference in body esteem between genders and a significant relationship between body esteem and life satisfaction. A significant relationship was also found between gender and emotional eating, with further analysis showing significances between body esteem and emotional under eating and gender and emotional over eating. This indicates a need for further research into body esteem and a correction of the administration of the exercise questionnaire which had no significant results.