Download The Female Athlete Triad - THE Center for Disordered Eating

What are the consequences of the
Triad?
The Triad can affect every aspect of life. Nutrient deficiencies and fluid/electrolyte imbalance can lead to impaired performance, growth and mental functioning, and
increase risk of injury. Long-term consequences may include loss of reproductive function and serious medical
conditions such as dehydration and starvation. Ultimately
this condition could result in death.
When exercise becomes harmful.
How can the Triad be prevented?
Prevention should begin with nutritional, medical, and
psychological education related to proper nutrition for
a life-long healthy lifestyle. The athlete should surround
herself with friends and role models with healthy body
images and eating habits. She should keep track of her
periods so she can monitor the number of days between
cycles. Meals and snacks should not be skipped, and she
should bring snacks during exercise and carry snacks
around during the day. Foods containing protein and fat
(nuts, cheese, yogurt) as well as carbohydrate-containing foods (cereal, crackers, pretzels, fruit, vegetables) are
healthy choices. The athlete should be encouraged to visit
a dietitian if she needs nutritional recommendations.
Information for women, girls and their
loved ones about a serous health concern:
The
Female Athlete
Triad
Disordered Eating Habits
Loss of Menstrual Periods (Amenorrhea)
Osteoporosis (Weak Bones)
If you or someone you know has developed any of the
above problems, talk to a physician, nurse, dietitian, athletic trainer, school counselor or coach.
You may also contact
THE Center for Disordered Eating
for more information:
Phone: (828) 337-4685
Email: [email protected]
Or visit our website:
www.thecenternc.org
How is the Female Athlete Triad treated?
Treatment must address all possible causes of the Triad,
and should include medical, nutritional and psychological intervention. Counseling and education regarding
proper eating for the amount of energy expended as well
as activity modification are integral parts of the recovery
process. Normal menstruation should be a goal.
Brochure information courtesy of the
Female Athlete Triad Coalition
(www.femaleathletetriad.org) and the
American College of Sports Medicine
(www.acsm.org)
Sports and exercise are great ways for girls and women to
build strong, healthy bodies, self-esteem and a life-long love of
physical activity. However, it is possible to exercise in a way that
harms your health. The Female Athlete Triad is a serious health
concern that has been identified among female athletes, particularly those in competitive sports.
What is the Female Athlete Triad?
The Female Athlete Triad refers to three interrelated
health problems: disordered eating, amenorrhea (loss of
menstrual periods), and osteoporosis (weak bones).
What are the risk factors?
Any factor that increases the likelihood of disordered eating would be considered a risk factor:
•
Dieting at an early age
Disordered Eating Habits
•
Participating in sports that have weight classes
Sometimes athletes will attempt to lose weight in unhealthy ways, such as severely limiting food intake,
counting calories and fat grams, or abusing laxatives or
vomiting after eating. These methods actually impede
performance because they result in dehydration, malnourishment, and unhealthy weight loss. In addition,
they cause psychological difficulties including food/
weight obsession, depression and anxiety.
•
Participating in a sport that endorses the notion that loss of weight or body fat enhances performance
• Disordered eating
•
Sport uniforms that are revealing
• Cold hands and feet
•
Perfectionistic personality traits
• Dry skin
•
Decreased eating with family and friends
• Hair loss
•
Being surrounded by people who think that amenorrhea, excessive exercise and weight loss are “normal” or even “desired” characteristics of “good athletes.”
• Absent or irregular periods
Loss of Menstrual Periods (Amenorrhea)
The athlete is already more at risk for loss of menstruation because of the physical demands of exercise. This
risk increases if the athlete is not consuming enough calories to support the demands placed on her body. Her
reproductive system may respond by producing less estrogen, resulting in infrequent or total loss of menstruation (amenorrhea). For the athlete who has not started
menstruation, disordered eating can delay the onset of
menstruation.
Osteoporosis (Weak Bones)
Because of decreased hormone levels, the athlete’s
body will not be able to replace old bone cells with new
healthy cells, leading to bone density loss. Poor eating
habits will decrease amounts of calcium, vitamins and
minerals the athlete is consuming, further decreasing
bone density.
Because of these factors, identification of disordered eating is more difficult in the athletic environment, which
therefore increases the risk of the Female Athlete Triad.
What are the warning signs?
• Noticeable weight loss
• Increased rate or delayed healing times of injuries
• Stress fractures
• Mood changes
• Decreased ability to concentrate
Is it normal for female athletes to stop
having their period?
It may be the “norm” in some sports, but it is never normal or acceptable. When menses stop, the body is saying
that energy consumption is not meeting the body’s needs.
If an athlete is over 16 and has not started menstruating,
she should contact a healthcare professional. Lack of
menstruation can inhibit normal development.