Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 19, 2025

Assessing Activity-based Anorexia in Mice
Published on: May 14, 2018
Exercise Addiction Prevalence and Correlates in the Absence of Eating Disorder Symptomology: A Systematic Review and
Mike Trott1, Sarah E Jackson, Joseph Firth
1Cambridge Centre for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Compass House, Cambridge, United Kingdom (MT, JJ, LS); Department of Behavioural Science and Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom (SJ); Division of Psychology and Mental Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom (JF); Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia (JF); NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Westmead, Australia (JF); Health Behaviour Research Centre, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, London, United Kingdom (AF); Eating Disorders Service, Barnet, Enfield & Haringey Mental Health Trust, United Kingdom (AM); RCPsych Sport & Exercise Psychiatry Special Interest Group, 21 Prescot Street London E1 8BB (AM); Positive Ageing Research Institute (PARI), Anglia Ruskin University, United Kingdom (BS); Physiotherapy Department, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Denmark Hills, London, United Kingdom (BS); Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London, United Kingdom (BS).
Background:
Exercise addiction (EA) can be debilitating and can be a symptom of an eating disorder. To date, the prevalence rates of EA without indicated eating disorders in the general population and associated correlates remain unreported.
Methods:
Two authors searched major databases from inception to 31/12/2018 to identify studies investigating the prevalence of EA in any population without indicated eating disorders. We conducted a random effects meta-analysis to report (i) prevalence rates of EA using the exercise addiction inventory and exercise dependence scale and compare sub-populations, (ii) compare methods of EA measurement and explore heterogeneity, and (iii) report on correlates.
Results:
A total of 13 studies including 3635 people were included. The prevalence of EA among general exercisers was 8.1% (95% CI 1.5%-34.2%), amateur competitive athletes was 5.0% (95% CI 1.3%-17.3%), and university students was 5.5% (95% CI 1.4-19.1%%). Overall prevalence rates varied depending on the EA measurement tool. EA subjects were more likely to have lower levels of overall wellbeing (only in amateur competitive athletes), higher anxiety levels, and have greater frontal brain activity.
Conclusions:
EA is prevalent in the absence of indicated eating disorders across populations but varies depending on measurement tool. Further research is needed to explore EA without indicated eating disorders in different populations using homogenous measurement tools, further determine psychological correlates, and examine which measures of EA without indicated eating disorders predict poor health outcomes.
More Related Videos
04:19A Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Eating Disorder Analysis and Diagnosis
Published on: May 10, 2022
06:28A Chronic High-Intensity Interval Training and Diet-Induced Obesity Model to Maximize Exercise Effort and Induce Physiologic Changes in Rats
Published on: April 28, 2023
Related Concept Videos
Binge Eating Disorders
Anorexia Nervosa
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
Bulimia Nervosa
Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...