Some Exercise May Help Prevent/Treat Eating Disorders

Exercise is often seen as a negative thing for eating disorders, but a study shows that some healthy exercise has a positive effect on self-esteem and depression that may actually prevent it:

“When treating an eating disorder, exercise is rarely considered therapeutic; it’s more likely to be viewed as dangerous for patients already obsessed with their weight. But a new University of Florida study shows that the psychological benefits of exercise could be used as an intervention for — or even a way to prevent — eating disorders.

Despite the documented mental and physical benefits of exercise, health care practitioners have long assumed that people with eating disorders shouldn’t be encouraged to burn calories through physical activity. While it’s true that compulsive exercisers risk further harm, healthy exercise that’s not compulsive could help people with eating disorders or people who are at risk for eating disorders, said Heather Hausenblas, a UF exercise psychologist who co-authored the study, published in the January issue of European Eating Disorders Review.”

Read More: http://news.ufl.edu/2011/01/13/exercise-benefit/

Eating Disorder Self Test. Take the EAT-26 self test to see if you might have eating disorder symptoms that might require professional evaluation. All answers are confidential.

Find a Treatment Facility Near You

Click on a state below to find eating disorder treatment options that could be right for you.

Where do calls go?

Calls to numbers on a specific treatment center listing will be routed to that treatment center. Calls to any general helpline will be answered or returned by one of the treatment providers listed, each of which is a paid advertiser: ARK Behavioral Health, Recovery Helpline, Alli Addiction Services.

By calling the helpline you agree to the terms of use. We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses. There is no obligation to enter treatment.

CALL NOW FOR IMMEDIATE HELPCALL NOW FOR IMMEDIATE HELP800-776-3990Response time about 1 min | Response rate 100%
Who Answers?