Connecting the dots between interoceptive sensibility, anxiety sensitivity, and eating disorder symptoms among individuals who engage in exercise for weight or shape purposes

Individuals who engage in maladaptive exercise for weight/shape reasons are at high risk for eating disorders (EDs). Disrupted interoceptive sensibility and anxiety sensitivity (AS) are factors that are known to increase risk for EDs and may have particular relevance to exercise. The current study used network analysis to identify central symptoms and bridge symptoms among interoceptive sensibility, AS, and ED symptoms within individuals who exercise for weight/shape reasons. Undergraduate students from the United States who reported exercise for weight/shape reasons (n = 384, 68.5% White, 11.7% Hispanic/Latine) completed measures of AS, interoceptive sensibility, and ED symptoms. Network analyses were conducted to identify central and bridge symptoms. The symptoms with the highest strength worries about others noticing anxiety, notice when uncomfortable in body, dissatisfaction with shape, notice difference after peaceful experience, and strong desire to lose weight. Notice when uncomfortable in body was most strongly connected to strong desire to lose weight and vice versa. Notice when uncomfortable in body was most strongly connected to dissatisfaction with shape. Dissatisfaction with shape was most strongly connected to worries about others noticing anxiety. Scares me when heart beats rapidly was most strongly connected to can't get pain or discomfort out of my mind. This network analysis supports unique pathways connecting AS, interoceptive sensibility, and ED symptoms. Interventions for individuals who exercise for weight/shape reasons could target central symptoms through body image and interoceptive exposures.