Adolescent Women with Eating Disorders and Exercise
Session Title
Other Abstracts
Faculty Mentor
Janet Wojcik, Ph.D.
College
College of Education
Department
Physical Education, Sport & Human Performance
Abstract
Eating disorders and disordered eating among adolescents are extremely common especially among young women. While there is plentiful research on eating disorders there is little research found on recovery and how physical activity can help in their rehabilitation. A literature review conducted resulted in finding a study that researched the effects of prenatal and postnatal exposure when mothers are found to have an eating disorder before baring the child. Looking at the chemical imbalances they were able to determine that higher levels of corticotropin-releasing hormone affected hypothalamic pituitary axis activities from being performed. In another study it was reported that eating disorders can begin at any age with signs showing as early as 10 years. For exercise programs in persons with eating disorders there should be no more than 3 days a week at a low intensity on a Borg perceived exertion scale 9 or lower. Limit aerobic training and then minimal resistance training until the client has shown significant improvement. Thirty minutes a day maximum, and if using equipment the client should be at a comfortable walking pace. When the client is ready they start with wrist and ankle weights to help improve muscle strength. It is important to note every eating disorder case is different. The exercise program listed above may likely work better for a client that has anorexia and still does not have full muscle strength yet. A client that formerly had a binge eating disorder would be recommended something with slightly higher intensity.
Course Assignment
EXSC 511 – Wojcik
Start Date
15-4-2023 12:00 PM
Adolescent Women with Eating Disorders and Exercise
Eating disorders and disordered eating among adolescents are extremely common especially among young women. While there is plentiful research on eating disorders there is little research found on recovery and how physical activity can help in their rehabilitation. A literature review conducted resulted in finding a study that researched the effects of prenatal and postnatal exposure when mothers are found to have an eating disorder before baring the child. Looking at the chemical imbalances they were able to determine that higher levels of corticotropin-releasing hormone affected hypothalamic pituitary axis activities from being performed. In another study it was reported that eating disorders can begin at any age with signs showing as early as 10 years. For exercise programs in persons with eating disorders there should be no more than 3 days a week at a low intensity on a Borg perceived exertion scale 9 or lower. Limit aerobic training and then minimal resistance training until the client has shown significant improvement. Thirty minutes a day maximum, and if using equipment the client should be at a comfortable walking pace. When the client is ready they start with wrist and ankle weights to help improve muscle strength. It is important to note every eating disorder case is different. The exercise program listed above may likely work better for a client that has anorexia and still does not have full muscle strength yet. A client that formerly had a binge eating disorder would be recommended something with slightly higher intensity.
