Low energy availability-related conditions in female athletes : prevalence rates and relationships with health, injuries, and the sports career
Year: 2023
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Physical activity provides many health benefits, but some female athletes suffer from problems related to eating and menstrual function. This dissertation study investigated the prevalence of low energy availability (EA)-related conditions, such as clinical and subclinical eating problems, body weight perceptions, and menstrual dysfunction (MD), among Finnish female athletes and evaluated whether athletes and non-athletes or athletes of different ages and those competing at different levels and sports differ from each other regarding these issues. Furthermore, this study explored the associations of low EA-related conditions and age at menarche with injuries, sports career, and health. Data were drawn from four research projects: the Finnish Health Promoting Sports Club study baseline (n=283) and follow-up (n=211) studies, the Estrogenic Regulation of Muscle Apoptosis study (n=1098), the Female Athlete 2.0 study (n=846), and the Menstrual Function, Eating Attitudes, Body Image, and a Sports Career study (n=198). Participants were 14- to 55-year-old female athletes and non-athletes. Data on menstrual function, eating attitudes, and body weight perceptions were measured using questionnaires. The prevalence rates of eating disorders, disordered eating behaviors, body weight dissatisfaction, and MD in athletes varied between 7–18%, 16–25%, 18–24%, and 18–39%, respectively, depending on the data used. MD was more common in athletes than in non-athletes. Athletes did not differ from non-athletes in terms of eating problems, but body weight dissatisfaction was more common in non-athletes. Participation in endurance, weight class, jumping, and aesthetic sports was associated with an increased risk of eating problems and MD. A younger age was associated with higher rates of MD. Later age at menarche was associated with a healthier midlife body composition, but also a lower bone mineral density. Problems with eating behavior were associated with a higher risk of injury and a shorter sports career, while MD, specifically secondary amenorrhea, was associated with higher rates of injury-related harm during the sports career and career termination due to injury. It is crucial to recognize the high rates of low EA-related conditions in female athletes. Athletes and those working with them should be aware of the negative link of low EA-related conditions to health and the sports career.
Author: Ravi, Suvi
Institution: University of Jyväskylä
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: Jyväskylän Yliopisto
OpenAlex ID: W7002055933