The relationship between exercise identity and exercise behavior among Chinese college students: the moderating role of weight bias.

Abstract

Abstract Objective: Based on the deviance regulation theory, this paper aimed to explore the relationship between exercise identity, and adaptive and maladaptive exercise behavior, as well as its underlying mechanism among Chinese college students. Method: A total of 1300 college students (mean aged: 18.75±3.2, 50% male) were investigated with Exercise Identity Scale, Physical Activity Rating Scale, Exercise Dependence Scale, and Weight Bias Questionnaire. SPSS27.0 and Mplus8.3 were used to conduct the statistical analysis. Results: There were significant differences in adaptive and maladaptive exercise behaviors among college students of different genders (t=14.66, p =0.00; t=12.55, p=0.00). Results: There were significant differences in adaptive and maladaptive exercise behaviors among college students of different genders (F=12.11, p=0.00; F=3.80, p =0.02; F=22.53, p =0.00; F=11.04, p=0.00). Among college students, ' exercise identity, weight bias and adaptive exercise behavior (r=0.50, p＜0.01; r=0.33, p＜0.01) and its dimensions, and maladaptive exercise behavior (r=0.51, p＜0.01; r=0.36, p＜0.01)and its dimensions were significantly positively correlated. Weight bias contributed to a positive moderating role in college students' exercise identity and adaptive exercise behaviors, as well as in maladaptive exercise behaviors. Conclusion: Exercise identity can positively predict adaptive and maladaptive exercise behaviors among Chinese college students, in which weight bias contributes to a positive moderating role.