Evaluation of a programme of adapted physical activity for eating disorders patients

The importance of work focused on body experience in the therapy of Eating Disorders is acknowledged by many authors. Nevertheless, only few researches have been devoted to this aspect of the therapy. The present work describes an experience of adapted physical activity out as part of a residential cure program for eating disorder patients, covering a sample of 96 patients. The chief aims of our adapted physical activity program concern four main areas: individual identity, relations with others, the body, and getting patients to build for themselves a correct image of physical activity. There is a wide variety of work tools, include both individual and group activities: movement exercise, adapted sports, dancing, expressive activities, relaxation. The following are used to evaluate results: individual and group talks, specific observation scales, and video recordings of some meetings. In common with other authors, the observations lead one to think that controlled physical activities would be a useful element for integrating into an eating disorders cure project.