Hyperactivity and Semistarvation in the Rat: An Animal Model for Anorexia Nervosa

Patients with anorexia nervosa often show physical hyperactivity and in some patients hyperactivity is even the first symptom. Weight loss develops later on. Kron et at. (1978) observed hyperactivity in 25 out of 33 anorectic patients. Among physically active young women such as ballet dancers and marathon runners anorexia nervosa occurs more frequently than in sedentary, age-matched controls. Hyperactivity in anorectics is considered by many experts as just another means of losing weight. Epling and Pierce (1983) speculated on the possible causative role of hyperactivity for the development of anorexia and on its role in maintaining low body weight.