A recent review published in Current Sports Medicine Reports this month stressed the need for proper nutrition and counseling in female athletes, especially those at risk for eating disorders. The lead author, Dr. Kathe Gabel wanted to make aware the signs and symptoms of the Female Athlete Triad.
The Female Athlete Triad consists of three conditions: disordered eating, amenorrhea (loss of menstruation), and osteoporosis.
The review was centered on a decades old concern that many female athletes that are participating in rigorous training schedules often consume too few calories and lack essential nutrients needed for hormone and bone metabolism. In one study female dancers were found to consume on 30 percent of the recommended calories where another found that runners were often deficient in minerals such as iron and calcium.
In her discussion, Dr. Gabel discusses how lack of calories and improper nutrient intake can affect all systems of the body, but namely hormonal balance and bone metabolism. Abnormal hormone production can be the result of caloric deprivation. Parents and coaches need to be able to recognize signs of disordered eating that can result in the Female Athlete Triad.
Signs include:
Skipping a meal.
Dramatic reductions in overall food consumption.
Increased focus of food choices and intake.
Excess exercising after eating fatty or sweet foods.
If any parent or healthcare provider recognizes a change in attitudes towards food or any of the warning signs mentioned above, a proper referral to an eating disorder specialist or counselor may be in order. Though female athletes may not focus entirely on body image, lack of adequate nutrition during intense training to achieve competitive edge may increase risk for chronic health conditions later in life.
Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on August 31, 2006 11:24 AM
