The Effects of Exercise in Obese Women with Bulimia Nervosa

PURPOSE Obesity has been identified as a risk factor for the development of bulimia nervosa (BN) in those who try to lose weight. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of walking exercise in order to provide a method for overcoming bulimia nervosa in obese young women suffering from bulimia nervosa. METHODS Twenty obese women with bulimia nervosa (body mass index [BMI]>30) and a mean age of 22.00±1.50 years volunteered to participate in this study. They were randomly assigned to exercise (n=10) and control (n=10) groups. Both groups underwent anthropometric measurements and blood analysis before and after the training program. Exercise program included 30-minute walking sessions at 50-75% of maximal heart rate, 3 days per week and for 2 months. RESULTS After 2 months significant changes were observed in all anthropometric variables (P<0.001). Percent body fat, fat mass, BMI, body weight and lean mass changes in response to training were significant in the exercise group (P<0.001). CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that moderate aerobic exercises such as moderate walking are suitable behavior therapies for overcoming bulimia nervosa in obese young women.