Management of Physical Activity and Eating Disorders
The current management of physical activity in eating disorder patients varies enormously. (Davies, 2007) Traditionally, patients have been put on bed rest to reduce caloric expenditure. However, the management of physical activity in eating disorders is changing with the following evidence:
A literature review of the effects of exercise interventions in patients with eating disorders reported that patients with eating disorders can safely engage in exercise programs during treatment. (Hausenblas, 2007)
Supervised exercise prescription in eating disorders has been shown in the literature to not adversely affect weight gain or the return of menstruation.
The evidence indicates there is increased treatment compliance, improved therapeutic relationship, decreased food preoccupation, decreased bulimic symptoms and decreased negative exercise behaviours with supervised exercise.
As well, eating disorder patients considered “improving body experience” as a core element of their treatment (Vanderlinden, 2007).