The link between anorexia nervosa and excessive exercise: A review

Abstract A frequent theme in the literature is the link between anorexia nervosa and other disorders, such as affective illness. In recent years, however, more specific proposals have been made suggesting that some individuals who engage in high levels of sporting activity (in particular long distance running) might themselves have a disorder which is in some ways analogous to anorexia nervosa. There is a certain innate appeal to this proposal and it would appear as if there are many descriptive similarities between patients with anorexia nervosa and individuals who exercise to excess. Excessive physical activity has long been known to be one of the features commonly found amongst those suffering from an eating disorder. In this paper we review the literature and critically explore the link between excessive exercise (EXE) and anorexia nervosa (AN). Directions for future research in this area are also pointed out.