Anorexia nervosa and exercise: ethical issues involving physical education professionals

Abstract

Anorexia nervosa affects from 0.3% to 1% of young women. Excessive exercise is a problematic behavior that occurs in 40% to 80% of individuals with this eating disorder. Physical education professionals must observe multiple behaviors to make the suspicious of this disorder, be aware about the risks/benefits as well as the ethical issues of accepting to train people with anorexia nervosa because, even with few studies on this issue, there are favorable and contrary arguments regarding the indication of exercises. In any case, the basic principle is the same of what is applicable in any training practice under supervision: to promote health.