Exercise, eating behaviour and quality of life

A study of 177 women in the American mid-West looked into the links between attitudes to exercise, eating-disordered behaviour and quality of life. The researchers found that a high level of guilt when exercise was missed was associated with 'markedly elavated' levels of eating disorder psychopathology and a significantly reduced quality of life. The combination of exercising solely for weight and shape and intense guilt after missing exercise was associated with very high levels of eating disorder psychopathology, comparable to those of individuals seeking specialist treatment.

Mond, Jonathan ... [et al] - 'Excessive exercise' and eating-disordered behaviour in young adult women: further evidence from a primary care sample European Eating Disorders Review May-June 2008, 16(3), 215-221