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Link between physical activities, eating disorders and obesity

Source : Nutriactis/Rouen-Normandie hospital

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a sedentary lifestyle is one of the main risk factors for mortality from non-communicable diseases. People with insufficient physical activity have a 20% to 30% higher risk of death than those who are sufficiently active1.

The WHO recommends regular physical activity as a means of preventing and managing a range of pathologies, such as diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease, as well as for its positive effects on the regulation of certain biological2 and psychological3,4 factors.

WHO recommendations for adults (18 to 64 years):
*At least 2h30 of moderate physical activity per week,
*Or at least 1h15 of intense physical activity per week,
*Or an equivalent combination of moderate- to high-intensity physical activity; for additional health benefits, adults should increase the amount of moderate-intensity physical activity to 5 hours a week or equivalent;
*Include muscle-strengthening activities involving the main muscle groups should be performed 2 times a week or more.
For this age group, physical activity includes recreational or leisure activities, trip (walking, cycling), professional activities (work), household chores, play, sports or planned exercise, in a daily, family or community context.

Regular physical activity helps improve a number of biological markers, such as cholesterol levels, blood pressure and fasting blood sugar levels5,6, as well as mental health, with a reduction in anxiety (see anxiety sheet) and pain7.

  • Lack of physical activity, generally observed in compulsive or obesity, leads to an increased risk of overweight and chronic diseases such as diabetes or joint pain.
  • Conversely, physical hyperactivity is frequently observed in patients with restrictive EDs and may also be pathological. In fact, if physical activity is practiced obsessively (cognitive control) and excessively (cognitive control) in order to control weight, and this has an impact on quality of life (see quality of life sheet) and daily activities, then it can be detrimental to health. In addition, this hyperactivity is negatively associated with self-esteem, and could therefore increase the risk of depression (see depression/anxiety sheet).
  • Moderate physical activity could also induce beneficial changes in the intestinal microbiota. One study, for example, showed a positive association between bacterial diversity and the frequency of physical activity; high diversity being generally associated with good health.
  • Lastly, it has been shown that weight-loss programs based on physical activity are more effective when accompanied by nutritional intervention .
  • It is therefore essential to evaluate physical activity (duration, intensity, frequency, type, and motive) in order to integrate it into the prevention and management of EDs and obesity.