Prevalence and Association between Exercise Dependence and Eating Disorder Risk in Collegiate Student-Athletes.

While physical activity has become a Public Health intervention to improve overall health in populations, exercise EXD can be considered a problem related to physical activity. EXD may negatively impact physical and mental health; whereas EDs may be a psychiatric disorder affected by EXD, as exercise can be a compensatory behavior for weight loss. Special attention should be given to student-athletes, specifically females, who display signs of EXD as well as additional education and awareness to minimize the overall risk of EDs in student-athletes.