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Published on: May 14, 2018
Physical activity and cortisol in anorexia nervosa
Diane Alix Klein1, Laurel E S Mayer, Janet Ellen Schebendach
1The New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University, Unit 98, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, USA. dk2127@columbia.edu
Psychoneuroendocrinology
|April 28, 2007
Summary
Patients with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) show high physical activity, linked to exercise history and elevated urinary cortisol. This suggests a persistent "drive" for activity in AN, potentially involving HPA axis abnormalities.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Endocrinology
- Exercise Science
Background:
- Elevated physical activity is a hallmark of Anorexia Nervosa (AN), but its manifestations and underlying mechanisms remain unclear.
- Understanding the relationship between physical activity, exercise history, and physiological markers is crucial for AN pathophysiology.
- The role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in AN-related physical activity requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify locomotor activity in hospitalized AN patients using accelerometers.
- To examine the association between physical activity levels and pre-hospitalization exercise history.
- To investigate the relationship between physical activity and urinary cortisol levels in AN.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-six female inpatients with AN wore activity armbands for 48 hours.
- Collected 24-hour urine samples to measure cortisol levels.
- Administered rating forms, including the Commitment to Exercise Scale (CES).
Main Results:
- Activity counts varied significantly among individuals but were consistent within individuals.
- Higher activity counts correlated positively with pre-hospitalization exercise attitudes (CES score).
- Urinary cortisol levels were positively associated with both activity counts and CES scores.
Conclusions:
- Some women with Anorexia Nervosa exhibit a persistent high "drive" for physical activity, even during early hospitalization.
- These findings suggest a potential link between HPA axis abnormalities and heightened physical activity in AN.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the complex interplay between physical activity, psychological factors, and neuroendocrine function in AN.
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