Objectives: To compare triathletes with exercise dependence and/or eating disorders on their metamotivational characteristics using the framework of Reversal Theory.Design: Participants were classified according to their scores on an eating disorder and an exercise dependence questionnaire into a primary, a secondary, an eating disorder, and a no dependence or disorder group. These groups were contrasted on measures derived from the Motivational Style Profile [(1998) Personal. Indiv. Diff., 24, 7].Method: Triathletes (n=171) completed instruments at competitive events in either Hong Kong or Switzerland. MANOVA and follow-up ANOVA were applied to measures of dominances and saliences.Results: There were significant differences in dominances and saliences between the exercise dependent and other groups, while the secondary group was significantly more telic dominant than the primary group. The eating disordered groups were significantly more mastery dominant than the no dependence group. There was a significant group by status interaction effect.Conclusions: The four groups were associated with different psychological profiles, but this association was moderated by the triathletes' status as professional or amateur. The appropriateness of the commonly used terms 'primary' and 'secondary' with regard to exercise dependence is questioned.