Body image and compulsive exercise- are there association with depression among university students?

This study is based on baseline data from the SUN-study where 4262 students participated. In line with previous research, females reported more body dissatisfaction than males and body dissatisfaction was positively associated with reported symptoms of depression, suggesting support of previous research indicating body dissatisfaction to increase mental health problems. Compulsive exercise was negatively associated with symptoms of depression suggesting a behavior negatively reinforced, supporting both constructs to be of interest for reported symptoms of depression.