Female Athlete Triad and Nutrition

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bone mineral density and osteoporosis. In a study at Louisiana State University researchers found that female distance runners with a history of irregular or absent periods are at a higher risk for stress fractures. When researchers separated amenorrheal runners from the group with irregular periods they noted a trend that showed 47% of the amenorrheal group admitted to having eating behavior disorders, and 37% of the irregular period group admitted to disordered eating.

Premature osteoporosis is the third symptom of the triad. Osteoporosis is a condition in which a person has a decreased bone mass and increased risk of fracture. Advances have now made it possible to accurately quantify a person’s bone mineral density. Osteoporosis has readily been recognized as an issue for postmenopausal women. It was not until the mid 1980s that sports medicine doctors began to further acknowledge the link between secondary amenorrhea and osteoporosis. Female athletes with premature osteoporosis have a much higher risk for fractures. It has been shown that in female athletes with similar training habits, the athletes with stress fractures are much more likely to have lower bone density, lower dietary calcium intake, current menstrual irregularity (primary or secondary amenorrhea). Disordered eating often results in a lack of calcium and vitamin D. Calcium and vitamin D are vital to healthy bone growth. A study at Oregon State University recommends increasing caloric and calcium intake in athletes who are experiencing amenorrhea accompanied with low bone mass.

Chronic energy deficit is the main cause of the female athlete triad. Chronic energy deficit comes from calorie restricting, skipping meals. Female athletes with chronic energy deficit suffer from amenorrhea and osteoporosis. To reverse the chronic energy deficit it is important to address the athletes disordered eating. This can be done with the help of nutritionist, coaches, and parents when applicable. With the help of a support group the athlete can begin using a nutritional diet plan. With the increase of macro and micro nutrients in the diet and the introduction of holistic nutrients and a higher caloric intake, the athlete can stop the chronic energy deficit.

In a study done at Arizona State University, researchers found that chronic energy deficit is one of the strongest contributing factors to exercise-associated amenorrhea. The researchers implemented a diet and exercise program designed to reverse exercise-associated amenorrhea. The program increased protein intakes for the 3 athletes with a protein deficit to within the recommended levels for active individuals. Micronutrient intakes increased, as did serum concentrations of vitamin B12, folate, zinc, iron, and ferritin. These results indicate that some amenorrheic athletes have poor nutritional status due to poor food selections and restricted energy intakes.

A close friend of mine suffers from female athlete triad, which initially sparked my interest in this subject. She currently plays division one college soccer. She spent much of the summer and preseason training very hard to be best prepared for her season. It is in part the excessive amounts of training and insufficient caloric intake that she began showing symptoms of secondary amenorrhea. It is because of her Anorexia Nervosa that she was unable to heal properly and promptly form stress fractures in her metatarsals. This is part of the weakening of bones mineral density. The pressures of the extremely competitive environment of division one soccer that she has had a hard time overcoming her disorder eating. With the help of her coach, teammates, and athletic trainers she has begun working on overcoming disordered eating, so she can play next season.

Female athlete triad syndrome is the three interrelated symptoms of, disordered eating, amenorrhea, and osteoporosis. The female athlete triad is a complex syndrome that impacts the physical and psychological well-being of the athlete. The triad can be managed and treated by higher caloric intake and a balanced diet. The best way to combat the detrimental effects it can have on an athlete’s career, apart from ingesting more calories and maintaining a balanced diet are prevention and