Exercise self-efficacy moderates the relation between anxiety sensitivity and body mass index and exercise tolerance in treatment-seeking smokers

Publication date: Available online 10 May 2016 Source:Mental Health and Physical Activity Author(s): Samantha G. Farris, Michelle L. Davis, David Rosenfield, Brooke Y. Kauffman, Scarlett O. Baird, Mark B. Powers, Michael W. Otto, Bess H. Marcus, Timothy S. Church, Jasper A.J. Smits, Michael J. Zvolensky There is little known about factors that contribute to the comorbidity of cigarette smoking and obesity. The current study sought to test whether exercise self-efficacy moderated the relation between anxiety sensitivity (fear of internal sensations) and BMI and exercise tolerance among cigarette smokers. Smokers (n = 72; 50% female; M cpd  = 19.3, SD = 10.65) were recruited to participate in a smoking cessation treatment trial. During medical screen, we measured weight, height, and exercise tolerance (functional capacity) employing a standardized maximal exercise testing protocol. After adjusting for participant sex and cigarettes per day, exercise self-efficacy moderated the association between anxiety sensitivity and BMI, such that the positive association between anxiety sensitivity and BMI was significantly stronger when exercise self-efficacy was low. The same pattern of results emerged for exercise tolerance. Exercise self-efficacy moderated the association between anxiety sensitivity and exercise tolerance, such that the negative association between anxiety sensitivity and exercise tolerance was significantly stronger when exercise self-...
Source: Mental Health and Physical Activity - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research