Congratulations to former HALOite Adam Chubbs-Payne on the publication of his first research study as first author. His research, “Physical activity as a treatment component for adolescents with anorexia nervosa: An exploratory qualitative study of patient perceptions” was published in the prestigious International Journal of Eating Disorders. Anorexia nervosa (AN) with compulsive exercise is associated with poor treatment outcomes. The study led by Adam and former HALO-ite Jackie Lee sought to understand the attitudes of adolescents with AN from various stages of treatment, toward physical activity research practices and physical activity as a component of treatment. Six inpatients, five day-program patients, and six outpatients treated by either the AN inpatient and/or day treatment program in the past two years were interviewed. Participants recognized both benefits (psychological, sociological, and physiological) and risks (trigger negative thoughts, increase competitive behavior) of implementing physical activity into acute AN treatment. Patient characteristics, such as stage of treatment and exercise history, had an impact on participants’ perceptions toward physical activity in AN. Participants suggested that the ideal physical activity program would be focused on fun, individualized and progressively integrated, group‐based, and directly supported by staff. Although the majority of participants stated that they would wear an activity monitor for research purposes, concerns were voiced regarding compliance and the potential impact on eating disorder symptomatology. Participants overwhelmingly supported the careful implementation of structured physical activity and physical activity psychoeducation into the acute treatment of adolescents with AN.
Chubbs-Payne, A., Lee, J., Isserlin, L., Norris, M. L., Spettigue, W., Spence, K., & Longmuir, P. E. (2021). Attitudes toward physical activity as a treatment component for adolescents with anorexia nervosa: An exploratory qualitative study of patient perceptions. The International Journal of Eating Disorders, 54(3), 336–345. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.23411
The publication can be accessed here.
