Physical activity and exercise dependence during inpatient treatment of longstanding eating disorders: an exploratory study of excessive and non-excessive exercisers.
OBJECTIVE
To describe changes in physical activity (PA) and exercise dependence score during treatment of eating disorders (ED), and to explore correlations among changes in PA, exercise motivation, exercise dependence score and ED psychopathology in excessive and non-excessive exercisers.


METHODS
Thirty-eight adult females receiving inpatient treatment for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa or ED not otherwise specified participated in this prospective study. Assessments included accelerometer assessed PA, Exercise Dependence Scale, Reasons for Exercise Inventory, ED Examination, and ED Inventory.


RESULTS
Amount of PA was significantly reduced in non-excessive exercisers during treatment, in excessive exercisers there was a trend towards reduced amount of PA from admission to discharge. In excessive exercisers, reduced ED psychopathology was correlated with reduction in exercise dependence score and perceived importance of exercise to regulate negative affects, but not with importance of exercise for weight/appearance. These associations were not found in non-excessive exercisers.


CONCLUSIONS
Excessive exercise is an important issue in longstanding ED, and the excessive exercising patients need help to develop alternative strategies to regulate negative affects.
Research Institute, Modum Bad Psychiatric Center, Vikersund, Norway. solfrid.bratland-sanda@nih.no
Solfrid
S
Bratland-Sanda
Jorunn
J
Sundgot-Borgen
Øyvind
Ø
Rø
Jan H
JH
Rosenvinge
Asle
A
Hoffart
Egil W
EW
Martinsen
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D015897:Comorbidity; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity; D010343:Patient Admission; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011594:Psychometrics