Adapted Physical Activity in the Treatment of Anorexia: a Randomised Control Trial

People with anorexia nervosa are known to engage in significant physical activity or sports. This practice is problematic because of the state of malnutrition, its interference with re-nutrition and the somatic and nutritional complications that the effect of physical activity can cause in these people. This significant physical activity is also called hyperactivity in the literature, it is in fact a problematic use of physical activity, it is a symptom commonly observed in people suffering from anorexia nervosa (in 31 to 80% cases).

In this context, Ms. Kern lecturer in Sciences and Techniques of Physical and Sports Activities (STAPS) at the University of Paris Nanterre has developed in collaboration with the clinical team (Pre Godart) an adapted physical activity program (APA) , for patients suffering from anorexia nervosa. The APA program includes 8 sessions of 1h30 including an important part of psychoeducation. The effectiveness of this program will be evaluated in terms of both restoration of body mass index and improvement in overall health.

The project's hypothesis is that adding a standardized 8-week Adapted Physical Activity program to the usual care, including psychoeducation on both problematic physical activity and the consequences in terms of good practice of physical activity leads to a better outcome of overall care in people with anorexia nervosa.

The project's hypothesis is adding an 8 weeks standardized Adapted Physical Activity program, including psychoeducation on both problematic physical activity and consequences in terms of physical activity good practice leads to a better outcome among persons suffering from anorexia nervosa.

Expected consequences of the study: demonstration that including adapted physical activity program in the global treatment program of anorexia nervosa is crucial in order to improve the therapeutic efficacy of the treatment acceptability, as drop out is usually important. In case of positive results, it will allow suppress interdiction in doing sport, source of conflict - and a way to enhance compliance to treatment which is difficult in anorexia nervosa to enable greater, earlier efficacy, which is predictive of more rapid recovery and avoid of chronicity.

Main Objective To evaluate in terms of Body Mass Index evolution at the end of the program, the efficacy of a 8 weeks standardized adapted physical activity program, designed for persons suffering from anorexia nervosa, including psychoeducation on both problematic physical activity and consequences and in terms of physical activity good practices.

Secondary Objectives To evaluate, at the end and 6 months later, the efficacy of a 8 week standardized Adapted Physical Activity program (including psychoeducation in terms of physical activity good practices designed for persons suffering from anorexia nervosa on both problematic physical activity and consequences), in terms of variation of body composition evaluated by bioelectric impedance (Fat mass and fat free mass), physical activity (duration, intensity, addiction, compulsion), fitness perceived (general fitness, cardio respiratory, strength, agility, flexibility ), self-esteem , perception of the body shape, quality of life both in terms of general and specific and eating disorders symptoms, level of anxiety symptoms, level of depressive symptoms, level of eating disorders symptoms, rate of drop-out from the global treatment program. To evaluate also the variation of BMI between base line and 6 months, and between 8 weeks and 6 months.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Anorexia nervosa patients (DSM 5 criteria),
* over or equal to 12 years old,
* Treated in the specialised eating disorder centres involved in the study either in the day hospital program or in the inpatient program,
* Understanding, reading and writing French,
* Benefiting from social cover
* Have read the information notice and have consented to participate in the study by signing a written consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Somatic instability needing intensive medical care or monitoring (intensity is adapted in each session to each patient) or psychiatric emergency (suicidal risk and/or acute psychiatric symptomatology),
* Somatic complication forbidding any physical activity,
* Absence social cover,
* Patients in an emergency situation, incapable of giving their consent or adults under guardianship or curatorship,
* Pregnant or breastfeeding women (declarative: question asked to the patient during inclusion),
* Refusal to participate.