Physical exercises in patients with eating disorders

Authors

  • Paula Costa Teixeira Centro de Estudos do Laboratório de Aptidão Física de São Caetano do Sul
  • Roberto Fernandes da Costa Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina; Instituto de Psiquiatria do Hospital das Clínicas; Ambulatório de Bulimia e Transtornos Alimentares
  • Sandra M. M. Matsudo Centro de Estudos do Laboratório de Aptidão Física de São Caetano do Sul
  • Táki Athanássios Cordás Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina; Instituto de Psiquiatria do Hospital das Clínicas; Ambulatório de Bulimia e Transtornos Alimentares

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0101-60832009000400004

Keywords:

Eating disorders, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, excessive physical exercise

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Several studies discuss the relationship between excessive physical exercises and eating disorder patient as a strategy to lose weight. OBJECTIVE: Review the literature concerning physical exercises in eating disorder patients including definitions, diagnostic criteria and therapeutic proposals. METHODS: A literature review was done through MedLine, LILACS and Cochrane databases using the terms "eating disorders", "anorexia nervosa", "bulimia nervosa", "physical activity", "obligatory exercise", "compulsive exercise" and "excessive exercise". RESULTS: 12 articles in a sampling of 80 were selected. These articles include the investigation of a physical pattern that was considered excessive in adults over 18 and the use of evaluation instruments. The practice of physical exercises in patients with disturbed eating behaviors is revised. DISCUSSION: There is no consensus in literature about diagnostic criteria and instruments to consider the physical exercise as inadequate or excessive and its use as a way to lose weight. On the other hand the practice of physical exercises along the treatment of eating disorder patients could be beneficial if oriented and supervised.

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Published

2009-01-01

Issue

Vol. 36 No. 4 (2009)

Section

Reviews of Literature

License

Once accepted for publication, the manuscript becomes permanent property of the Archives of Clinical Psychiatry. This copyright transfer subsumes exclusive and unlimited entitlement of the Archives of Clinical Psychiatry to publish and distribute the full contents of articles in whichever publishing medium, including press and electronic media, in Brazil and abroad.

Manuscripts are accepted with the understanding that the Editor and the editorial staff have the right to make revisions aimed at greater conciseness, clarity, and conformity with Journal style, of course without changing its content.

How to Cite

Physical exercises in patients with eating disorders . (2009). Archives of Clinical Psychiatry, 36(4), 145-152. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0101-60832009000400004