Physical Activity Helpful in Binge Eating Disorder (BED)

Levels of physical activity are extremely low for many obese adults who seek treatment for binge eating disorder (BED).

A YALE University study of 166 obese adults (121 women and 45 men) with BED highlights the degree to which these patients are inactive. Only 13 percent engaged in recommended levels of activity (30 min/day of moderate activity at least five days a week or 20 min/day of vigorous activity at least three days a week, CDC-ACSM). Over half (52%) engaged in no sports or recreational activities at all, and 87 % were considered inactive or insufficiently active. However, lifestyle activity was unrelated to weight, and both structured and unstructured activity was unrelated to behavioral and psychological features of BED. Greater concerns about body shape appearance in women were associated with lower levels of activity.

The researchers cite two studies that show treatment combined with focused walking resulted in significant reductions in both binge eating and weight for obese women with BED. They suggest that adding physical activity interventions to established treatments can be helpful and call for more research to elucidate potential benefits in this patient population.

(Int. J. Eating Disorders. 2007; 40: 72-76)