Is there such a thing as too much exercise? You can’t go anywhere or watch anything today without being inundated with hundreds of advertisements for diets, work-out videos and equipment, gym memberships, or reminders about how you’re supposed to look in a bathing suit. This affects all of us: men, women, college students, athletes, adolescents, moms, dads, you name it. A number of articles written in college papers, on “exercise” bulimia recently came to our attention. “Exercise Bulimia Overlooked,” written by Iliana Paul, In the Mount Holyoke News, was one such article and discussed how this disorder is becoming more prevalent in females across college campuses in the United States. As this is an important topic, we would like to highlight and clarify several important aspects of Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa, for our readers.

Sex. Females are not the only ones who are known to suffer from eating disorders (ED). This is a very common stereotype. Even though there is an increased likelihood for females to be seen with an ED, the known male population in eating disorder clinics around the U.S. is increasing yearly. About 10% of patients with an ED, known to mental health professionals, are male (Wolf, 1991; Fairburn & Beglin, 1990). Males may have an even greater risk of having an ED oriented around over-exercising, possibly from athletic or social gender role pressures.

Age. Individuals of all ages are affected by eating disorders. While eating disorders are highly prevalent in individuals 15-25, eating disorders effect individuals ages 10 and younger, and spans in the other direction up to 70 and beyond. 

DSM – IV – TR. “Exercise” bulimia is not an official diagnosis of an eating disorder in the DSM – IV. According to the manual’s diagnostic criteria, there are two types of Bulimia Nervosa: purging type or non-purging type. Thus a person suffering from Bulimia Nervosa, non-purging type would be seen having recurring binge eating episodes followed by behavior that would indicate that they were trying to lose weight (e.g. excessive exercise). Patients with Anorexia Nervosa may also exercise excessively while not taking in the appropriate amount of calories required for the amount of activity they’re participating in.

Physical exercise can be a great way to stay healthy. However, the old adage, “Do not start an exercise program without consulting with your physician,” remains. If caloric intake isn’t a part of your weekly work-out, you could cause more harm to your body then any good the exercising may be doing. Lack of nutrition plus compulsive exercise could result in significant medical and psychological issues for athletes and non-athletes alike. This can include osteoporosis, amenorrhea (loss of menstrual periods), muscle injury, depression, dehydration, stress fractures, and even cardiac arrest. So, yes, there is such a thing as too much exercise. Moderation is key, after the doctor has given his or her stamp of approval!

Submitted by: Kate Dykeman, Outreach Intern