Characteristics and Importance of Physical Activity in Women With Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is a disorder that causes people to maintain an unhealthily low body
weight, often through eating too little or exercising too much. Treatment for anorexia
nervosa often begins with a supervised program for raising a person's weight to a healthy
level. This study will monitor activity levels during inpatient treatment and for 1 year
after hospital discharge in order to determine the impact of physical activity on weight
gain during anorexia treatment.

Participation in this study will last until 1 year after participants are discharged from
inpatient treatment for anorexia nervosa. Discharge is based on each person's progression in
treatment and may vary among participants. During the study, participants will have their
activity monitored two or three times—at low weight, at 90% of ideal body weight (IBW), and,
if the participant is living near the study clinic, within 6 weeks after discharge from the
hospital. Two monitoring devices will be attached to participants continuously for 48 hours
for the first two assessments and for 72 hours for the third. The first device is a
SenseWear armband, which is a wireless monitor strapped to the back of the upper arm that
measures body movement and body temperature. The second is an Intelligent Device for Energy
Expenditure and Activity (IDEEA) monitor, which consists of five sensors that will be taped
to each participant's feet, thighs, and chest. The device measures activity levels and
energy expenditure. Participants will complete a blood draw within 1 week of completing
activity monitoring assessments. Participants will also complete a computer "work" task at
two time points—at 75% of IBW and at 90% of IBW. This task will last 40 minutes and will
involve tapping a keyboard in order to earn rewards. Adult participants will also complete a
dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) test to assess body composition when 90% IBW is reached.

Follow-up assessments will occur 1, 2, 4, and 8 months after discharge. These will involve a
phone call or in-person visit in which health, body weight, and eating disorder symptoms are
discussed. One year after discharge, participants will attend an in-person assessment that
will involve completing questionnaires and an interview. Healthy participants will be
recruited as a control group, and these participants will complete one session of activity
monitoring, one blood draw, and self-rating forms without follow-up measurements.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Anorexia nervosa (except amenorrhea), as defined by DSM-IV

- Medically and psychiatrically stable

Exclusion Criteria:

- Significant current or past medical illness, including diabetes mellitus and heart
disease

- Current or lifetime history of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or other psychotic
disorder, as defined by DSM-IV-TR

- Suicidal ideation or suicidal behavior within the past 3 months

- Drug or alcohol abuse in last 6 months

- Taking psychotropic medication

- Pregnant