Due to the fact that a high proportion of eating disorder sufferers (up to 80%) frequently engage in compulsive over-exercising, it is important for this issue to be addressed in treatment. The combination of restricting food and being addicted to exercise can quickly have alarming consequences on an individual's physical and mental health.
Compulsive Exercise in Anorexia
Anorexia is an incredibly secretive illness, where the sufferer will typically go to extraordinary lengths to attempt to mask the condition. In addition to behaviours such as hiding food, wearing baggy clothes to conceal weight loss and water loading to give the false impression that weight has been gained, lieing about the amount of exercise one is undertaking is very common. The sufferer will find numerous excuses to engage in excessive amounts of exercise and may become very agitated when they are unable to exercise for any reason.
During treatment for eating disorders, such as anorexia, it is crucial that common means of achieving weight loss, including compulsive exercising, be addressed. In order to achieve a healthy recovery and reduce the likelihood of relapse both psychoeducation and controlled exercise interventions are utilised.
Benefits of Controlled Exercise in Anorexia Treatment
In anorexia treatment, it is common for daily walks to be supervised by EDU (Eating Disorder Unit) staff and restricted to a specific pace, distance or time limit. This helps the sufferer to begin the process of readjusting to a more 'normal' amount of exercise. Regular yoga, Pilates, aerobic activity and stretching exercises have been recognised as beneficial for those in the weight restoration phase of treatment. As highlighted by Zunker et al. (2012), one controlled study undertaken by Calogero & Pedrotty (2004) identified that women with anorexia who followed a sensible, controlled exercise intervention of sixty minutes, four times a week, achieved 33% more weight gain than the control group. Interventions designed to help patients become used to what a healthy amount of exercise entails will help when it comes to being discharged. As many sufferers of anorexia also suffer from depression, following a sensible exercise plan will also be likely to have a positive impact upon symptoms associated with this condition.
In addition, an exercise contract may be drawn up between a therapist and patient, stating exactly which forms of exercise and the length of time each activity is permitted to last. As with the patient's menu plan, the exercise contract may be adjusted if weight moves under or over the target weight band.
As highlighted above, exercise addiction is very common among sufferers of anorexia. Therefore, it is important for treatment programs to address the condition by including effective interventions, such as controlled exercise, exercise contracts and psychoeducation.
Source:
Zunker et al. (2012) Exercise Intervention for Women with AN Eating Disorders Review Vol. 23:1
Kate Le Page - Kate Henning-Le Page writes about eating disorders, body image and recovery issues. She specializes in anorexia recovery.
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