The Relationship between Exercise Addiction, Social Media Use, and Mental Health

Background: Exercise addiction is a condition characterized by unhealthy and obsessive engagement in physical exercise which takes priority over other areas of life. In contrast to other behavioral addictions, it has been usually considered a positive addiction due to the positive effects of physical exercise. However, recent studies have shown a correlation between this compulsive behaviour and mental health disorders. Furthermore, social media exposure can worsen problematic exercise due to the social pressure to gain an ideal body shape, especially for fragile individuals with concurrent mental disorders.

Goal: In this Research topic, we would like to highlight the exercise addiction adverse effects on general and mental health, to better discriminate excessive exercise from a problematic behavioral addiction. Furthermore, we would like to provide a special focus on the role that social media use may play in corroborating this condition and the link between exercise addiction and mental health disorders.

Scope and Information for Authors: Innovative articles, presenting new evidence and the latest insight on the topic will be hosted in this Research Topic. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited.

Keywords: exercise addiction, social media, mental health

Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.