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Table 6 Items that did not reach consensus

From: Measuring exercise in eating disorder patients: a Delphi study to aggregate clinical and research knowledge

Item

M

SD

Mode

% of panellists showing agreement after Round 3

Definition of compulsive exercise

Individuals who engage in compulsive exercise generally do not find the experience enjoyable

3.24

0.90

3

41 (agree)

Individuals who engage in compulsive exercise have difficulty noticing bodily signals such as pain, hunger, thirst, or exhaustion

3.71

0.77

4

65 (agree)

Individuals with an eating disorder who engage in compulsive exercise tend to realise at some point that their behaviour is excessive

3.12

0.70

3

18 (agree)

Construct of compulsive exercise

Eating disorder patients exercise to increase positive affect

3.47

1.07

4

71 (agree)

Qualitative aspects are more important in the assessment of compulsive exercise than quantitative aspects

3.76

0.97

4

65 (agree)

Questionnaire design

The questionnaire should include open-ended questions when assessing motivation to exercise and impact of exercise behaviours on life

3.65

1.00

4

59 (agree)

Ecological momentary assessment should be included in the assessment an additional measuring tool

2.94

0.83

3

18 (disagree)

The measure should be able to differentiate between exercise cognitions and behaviours of different eating disorder subtypes

3.47

1.07

3

29 (agree)

Difficulties

Existing measures of compulsive exercise focus too much on cardiovascular exercise and neglect other forms of exercise such as body building/ muscular fitness

3.82

0.95

3

59 (agree)

It can be difficult to distinguish between compulsive exercise and healthy exercise behaviours in individuals with an eating disorder

3.59

1.06

4

71 (agree)

Accelerometry may not be a feasible tool due to ethical concerns such as the extensive commitment required by the individual

2.82

1.07

4

35 (disagree)

It is difficult to measure compulsive exercise accurately due to a lack of reliable measures assessing quantitative aspects

3.41

1.12

4

65 (agree)

The accuracy of self-report is likely diminished due to fear of being judged, shamed or stigmatized

3.41

0.94

4

65 (agree)