Table 2 Factor loadings of the exploratory factor analyses for women and men

1. I need to lose some weight

.91

− .01

− .04

.92

.01

− .13

2. I feel fat

.87

− .11

− .08

.90

− .16

− .07

3. My clothes are too tight

.79

− .10

− .02

.67

− .05

.06

4. I should stop eating fattening foods

.73

.00

.02

.81

.01

.15

5. I need to exercise more so I can lose some weight

.82

.07

.15

.90

.09

.08

6. I wish I was more muscular

− .09

− .14

.92

.08

− .07

.82

7. I wish my body were stronger

− .03

.04

.89

− .04

− .02

.84

8. I should eat foods that promote muscle growth

.01

− .02

.85

− .13

− .05

.85

9. I need to lift weights more often to build muscle

.14

.15

.82

.16

.09

.77

10. I like the way I look

− .15

.82

− .05

− .08

.78

− .07

11. I feel good about my body

− .21

.78

.04

.01

.89

− .12

12. I am proud of what my body can do

− .02

.83

.02

− .05

.78

.04

13. I am happy with my eating habits

− .08

.78

− .07

− .08

.76

− .06

14. I am satisfied with my exercise habits

.23

.85

.04

.08

.84

.16

Inter-factor correlation matrix

Negative fat talk

1

1

Positive body talk

− .43

1

− .36

1

Negative muscle talk

.08

.09

1

.18

− .18

1