Eating disorders and exercise therapy: scoping review on outcome measures used in eating disorder and exercise research

Background Exercise is increasingly utilised as a complementary therapy within eating disorder treatment because of the emerging evidence for the psychological and physical benefits of exercise in eating disorders. Despite this, there is currently limited guidance on assessment within exercise therapy and eating disorders. Aims This review aimed to (a) outline outcome assessments used in the exercise and eating disorder literature, including interventional and cross-sectional studies; and (b) provide an overview of the general impacts of exercise intervention trials in eating disorders. Method A scoping review was employed with searches on databases PsycINFO, Medline and EMBASE, with terms related to eating disorders, exercise and health outcomes. Data extraction included study and intervention characteristics, assessments and outcome change. Results Twenty-six intervention and cross-sectional studies were included, consisting of anorexia nervosa ( n = 27%), binge eating disorder ( n = 19%), bulimia nervosa ( n = 4%) and mixed diagnostic populations ( n = 50%). Body composition assessment was conducted with the greatest frequency of included studies ( n = 26), followed by eating disorder psychopathology ( n = 21), subjective physical activity level ( n = 13) and exercise assessment ( n = 11), including strength assessment ( n = 6) and cardiorespiratory fitness testing ( n = 6). No adverse events were reported in the included studies. Conclusions The results of this review outline that comprehensive assessment within exercise interventions and eating disorders, including strength and cardiorespiratory fitness exercise tests, are safe when conducted in appropriate contexts and may offer additional insight into patient health and function beyond current standard practice. The results of this review may guide future exercise professionals in eating disorder services on relevant assessment as part of exercise therapy.