What is the role of exercise in anorexia nervosa?
People with anorexia nervosa use exercise as a key way to keep their weight very low. It also helps decrease guilt that may occur with eating. Like dieting, excessive exercising is used as a means of self-control and avoiding painful emotional issues and may take time away from interacting with other people.For a person who does not eat enough, exercising keeps the body in a state of deprivation. This increases the chance of developing other health problems, including dehydration, fluid imbalances, injuries, and heart problems, and slows the healing process.
