This volume provides researchers and clinicians with an insight into recent developments in activity anorexia. Much of the basic information on the topic has come from animal literature; the theory of activity anorexia is built on an animal model of self-starvation (rats placed on a single daily feeding run more and more, over days stop eating, and die of starvation). Additionally, experiments that for ethical or practical reasons could not be done with humans may be conducted with other animals. The animal research is extending the understanding of biologically-based reward mechanisms that regulate eating and exercise, environment-behavior interactions that affect anorexia, and the biochemical changes that accompany physical activity and starvation. Increasingly, however, the impact of physical activity on human anorexia is being directly investigated--eight out of fourteen research chapters in this volume are based on human research. Some researchers are interested in the impact of hyperactivity and caloric restriction on human reproductive function. Other authors are investigating physically active subgroups of people considered to be at risk for anorexia. Finally, several clinician/researchers suggest how physical activity and extreme dieting interact for anorexia nervosa patients. Chapter authors were asked to present their views independent of the editors' argument that, when it is present, physical activity is central to anorexia. Many of the contributors disagree with the editors about the details of activity anorexia. A few suggest that excessive physical activity is either incidental to, or an epiphenomenon of, anorexia. Most authors are, however, in accord with the view that physical activity reduces food consumption which further drives up activity that results in even less caloric intake. No matter what their perspective, all contributors agree that hyperactivity frequently accompanies self-starvation in humans and other animals. The end result is a lively book that provides a source of ideas for both researchers and practitioners.

Over the past 30 years, many social psychologists have been critical of the practice of using incentive systems in business, education, and other applied settings. The concern is that money, high grades, prizes, and even praise may be effective in getting people to perform an activity but performance and interest are maintained only so long as the reward keeps coming. Once the reward is withdrawn, the concern is that individuals will enjoy the activity less, perform at a lower level, and spend less time on the task. The claim is that rewards destroy people's intrinsic motivation. Widely accepted, this view has been enormously influential and has led many employers, teachers, and other practitioners to question the use of rewards and incentive systems in applied settings. Contrary to this view, the research by Cameron and Pierce indicates that rewards can be used effectively to enhance interest and performance. The book centers around the debate on rewards and intrinsic motivation. Based on historical, narrative, and meta-analytic reviews, Cameron and Pierce show that, contrary to many claims, rewards do not have pervasive negative effects. Instead, the authors show that careful arrangement of rewards enhances motivation, performance, and interest. The overall goal of the book is to draw together over 30 years of research on rewards, motivation, and performance and to provide practitioners with techniques for designing effective incentive systems.

This volume provides researchers and clinicians with an insight into recent developments in activity anorexia. Much of the basic information on the topic has come from animal literature; the theory of activity anorexia is built on an animal model of self-starvation (rats placed on a single daily feeding run more and more, over days stop eating, and die of starvation). Additionally, experiments that for ethical or practical reasons could not be done with humans may be conducted with other animals. The animal research is extending the understanding of biologically-based reward mechanisms that regulate eating and exercise, environment-behavior interactions that affect anorexia, and the biochemical changes that accompany physical activity and starvation.
Increasingly, however, the impact of physical activity on human anorexia is being directly investigated--eight out of fourteen research chapters in this volume are based on human research. Some researchers are interested in the impact of hyperactivity and caloric restriction on human reproductive function. Other authors are investigating physically active subgroups of people considered to be at risk for anorexia. Finally, several clinician/researchers suggest how physical activity and extreme dieting interact for anorexia nervosa patients.
Chapter authors were asked to present their views independent of the editors' argument that, when it is present, physical activity is central to anorexia. Many of the contributors disagree with the editors about the details of activity anorexia. A few suggest that excessive physical activity is either incidental to, or an epiphenomenon of, anorexia. Most authors are, however, in accord with the view that physical activity reduces food consumption which further drives up activity that results in even less caloric intake. No matter what their perspective, all contributors agree that hyperactivity frequently accompanies self-starvation in humans and other animals. The end result is a lively book that provides a source of ideas for both researchers and practitioners.