Table 3 Factor loadings of the confirmatory factor analyses for women and men

1. I need to lose some weight

.86

.98

2. I feel fat

.97

.91

3. My clothes are too tight

.71

.76

4. I should stop eating fattening foods

.75

.77

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

.75

.84

6. I wish I was more muscular

.86

.92

7. I wish my body were stronger

.85

.87

8. I should eat foods that promote muscle growth

.84

.75

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

.85

.75

10. I like the way I look

.88

.90

11. I feel good about my body

.91

.94

12. I am proud of what my body can do

.84

.76

13. I am happy with my eating habits

.81

.87

14. I am satisfied with my exercise habits

.74

.77

Inter-factor correlation matrix

Negative fat talk

1

1

Positive body talk

− .58***

1

− .57***

1

Negative muscle talk

− .03

.07

1

− .16*

.003

1