Activity Anorexia

What is Activity Anorexia?

Activity anorexia is a problematic behavior pattern in which a drastic decrease in eating causes progressively more exercise, which further reduces eating, in a vicious cycle.

When a person has activity anorexia, they value exercise more than they value food. When food intake declines, the person increases their physical activity. Activity anorexia is estimated to occur in 75% of all individuals who have anorexia nervosa.

Battling anorexia: my personal story

Many athletes have performed successfully while they had activity anorexia. Seeking a diagnosis and getting treatment should never be based solely on a decrease in performance. Treatment is necessary to combat the complications of activity anorexia.

Symptoms of Activity Anorexia

Some of the most common symptoms of activity anorexia are:

• Compulsive about weight and diet.
• Steals time to exercise from work, school, and relationships.
• Avoiding multiple foods to do self-diagnosed food allergies
• Chronic gastrointestinal problems.
• Gastrointestinal problems that interfere with pre-exercise eating.
• Unbalanced vegetarian eating styles.
• Defines self-worth in terms of physical performance.
• Secretive eating.
• Obsessive calorie counting.
• Avoiding food-related social situations.
• Rarely or never satisfied with athletic achievements.
• Justifies excessive behavior by defining self as a "special" elite athlete.
• Athletics is used as an excuse not to eat.
• Strong desire to exercise despite medical restrictions.
  

Helping a Person with an Activity Anorexia

Many athletes have performed successfully while they had activity anorexia. Seeking a diagnosis and getting treatment should never be based solely on a decrease in performance. Treatment is necessary to combat the complications of activity anorexia.

If you suspect that a family member has activity anorexia. Suggest that your family member see an eating disorder expert. Be prepared for denial, resistance, and even anger. A doctor and/or a counselor can help them battle their eating disorder.

Complications of Activity Anorexia

There are many medical risks associated with anorexia. They include: shrunken bones, mineral loss, low body temperature, irregular heartbeat, iron-deficiency anemia, menstrual irregularities, stress fractures, loss of coordination, impaired judgment, permanent failure of normal growth, and development of osteoporosis.