What is the Female Athlete Triad?

The female athlete triad consists of the following 3 conditions:

Many female athletes relate a small body size to increased physical performance, and restrict caloric intake to maintain a lean body figure (Reinking & Alexander, 2005). Disordered eating and severe caloric restriction can be recognized through both physical and psychological changes (Bonci et al., 2008). Female athletes in body image or weight sensitive sports are at a higher risk for restricting calories because of the sport’s stress on physical appearance (Reinking & Alexander, 2005). Adequate caloric intake to support energy demand is critical for maintaining nutrient balance and normal bodily functions.

How does calorie restriction affect bodily functions?

Leptin, a hormone produced by fat cells, is involved in the regulation of energy balance (Weimann, 2002). Leptin inhibits the synthesis of the appetite-stimulating neuropeptide and in periods of starvation, leptin levels are significantly low (Weimann, 2002). Secretions of pituitary hormones are hindered with low leptin levels causing the reproductive system to be stressed and increasing the risk for amenorrhea (Weimann, 2002). Chronic caloric restriction will delay menarche (first menstrual cycle) and pubertal maturation because of low fat mass and imbalanced hormone levels, which can also impact future fertility (Weimann, 2002).

Female athletes with irregular menstrual cycles or amenorrhea from disordered eating have a lower circulation in estrogen, which is an inhibitor of osteoclasts (Benardot, 2011). Osteoclasts are the cells that break down bone and if it’s inhibitor, estrogen, is low, then female athletes with amenorrhea are more at risk for low bone density and developing osteoporosis (Benardot, 2011). Osteoporosis is deficient bone formation and premature bone loss causing skeletal fragility and increased susceptibility to stress fractures (Beals, Brey, & Gonyou, 1999). Insufficient calcium and vitamin D intake from a restricted diet further escalates a female’s risk for low bone density (Thompson, 2007).

Athlete education on nutrition is imperative in order to have a healthy female athletic population.

How can we help prevent the female athlete triad?
Information adopted from The Female Athlete Triad Coalition. Calorie Counter

Always consult with your physician about any concerns or questions on your health. 

What do you do everyday to make sure you are consuming enough calories to fit your active lifestyle? 

References

Beals, K. A., Brey, R. A., & Gonyou, J. B. (1999). Understanding the Female Athlete Triad: Eating Disorders, Amenorrhea, and Osteoporosis. Journal of School Health, 69(8), 337–340.

Benardot, D. (2011). Advanced Sports Nutrition. Human Kinetics.

Bonci, C. M., Bonci, L. J., Granger, L. R., Johnson, C. L., Malina, R. M., Milne, L. W., … Vanderbunt, E. M. (2008). National Athletic Trainers’ Association Position Statement: Preventing, Detecting, and Managing Disordered Eating in Athletes. Journal of Athletic Training, 43(1), 80–108.

California Agriculture Online. (n.d.). Retrieved December 4, 2012.

Reinking, M. F., & Alexander, L. E. (2005). Prevalence of Disordered-Eating Behaviors in Undergraduate Female Collegiate Athletes and Nonathletes. Journal of Athletic Training, 40(1), 47–51.

Thompson, S. H. (2007). Characteristics of the female athlete triad in collegiate cross-country runners. Journal of American College Health: J of ACH, 56(2), 129–136.

Weimann, E. (2002). Gender-related differences in elite gymnasts: the female athlete triad. Journal of Applied Physiology, 92(5), 2146–2152.