A new study published in the journal Eating and Weight Disorders has found that people who have eating disorder traits are more likely to be addicted to exercise.
Researchers from Anglia Ruskin University, UK, discovered that exercise addiction is approximately four times more common in people with eating disorder traits.
Lead study author Mike Trott said, “It is known that those with eating disorders are more likely to display addictive personality and obsessive-compulsive behaviors.”
“We are also aware that having an unhealthy relationship with food often means an increased amount of exercising, but this is the first time that a risk factor has been calculated,” he added.
Globally, more than 70 million people struggle with eating disorders – such as binge-eating syndrome (bulimia) and anorexia nervosa. Eating disorders can affect anyone but it is often reported among adolescents and females.
The new study measured the rates of exercise addiction in people with and without eating disorder traits.
The researchers found that participants who showed traits of an eating disorder were 3.7 times more likely to have exercise addiction when compared to those with no characteristics of eating disorders.
Trott explained, “It is not uncommon to want to improve our lifestyles by eating healthier and doing more exercise, particularly at the start of the year. However, it is important to moderate this behavior and not fall victim to ‘crash diets’ or anything that eliminates certain foods entirely, as these can easily lead to eating disorders.”
“Our study shows that displaying signs of an eating disorder significantly increases the chance of an unhealthy relationship with exercise, and this can have negative consequences, including mental health issues and injury,” Trott noted.
The lead study author added, “Health professionals working with people with eating disorders should consider monitoring exercise levels as a priority, as this group have been shown to suffer from serious medical conditions as a result of excessive exercises, such as fractures, increased rates of cardiovascular disease in younger patients, and increased overall mortality.”
The original article appeared in Psych Central.
