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Chapter 7 - Eating Disorders and Over-Exercise

from Section 1 - From Exercise to Addiction: An Introduction to the Phenomenon

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 March 2023

By
Charlotte Taylor ,
Kate Brown  and
Konstantinos Ioannidis
Edited by
Ornella Corazza  and
Artemisa Rocha Dores
Ornella Corazza
Affiliation:
University of Hertfordshire and University of Trento, Italy
Artemisa Rocha Dores
Affiliation:
Polytechnic Institute of Porto and University of Porto, Portugal
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Summary

Dysfunctional exercise is one of the most challenging behaviours in individuals with eating disorders, among whom it makes a significant contribution to morbidity and impaired quality of life. This chapter examines the prevalence of dysfunctional exercise symptoms in the context of an eating disorder, the neurobiological basis of dysfunctional exercise symptoms, and the various predisposing and maintaining factors that are involved. It then highlights the need for management and treatment of excessive exercise to address the neurobiological and psychological factors involved, and describes the evidence base for such treatments, especially physiotherapy-based psychological interventions. A multidisciplinary approach to management is recommended, so that treatment can be formulated within the wider context of the individual’s psychosocial difficulties, enabling them to challenge their exercise-related beliefs and behaviour. Finally, two semi-fictional case studies are presented that illustrate common presentations of dysfunctional exercise in eating disorder clinics.

Keywords

addictive behaviourbody imagedysfunctional exerciseeating disordermultidisciplinary treatment
Type
Chapter
Information
The Body in the Mind
Exercise Addiction, Body Image and the Use of Enhancement Drugs
 , pp. 103 - 120
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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