 |
|
Prevalence of the Female Athlete Triad Syndrome Among High School Athletes
Jeanne F. Nichols, PhD;
Mitchell J. Rauh, PhD, PT, MPH;
Mandra J. Lawson, MS, RD;
Ming Ji, PhD;
Hava-Shoshana Barkai, MS
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2006;160:137-142.
Objective To estimate the prevalence of the female athlete triad (disordered eating, menstrual irregularity, and low bone mass) among high school athletes.
Design Observational cross-sectional study.
Setting High school.
Participants Female athletes (n= 170) representing 8 sports were recruited from 6 high schools in southern California.
Main Outcome Measures Disordered eating and menstrual status were determined by interviewer-assisted questionnaires. Bone mineral density was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry of the hip, spine (L1-L4), and total body.
Results Among all athletes, 18.2%, 23.5%, and 21.8% met the criteria for disordered eating, menstrual irregularity, and low bone mass, respectively. Ten girls (5.9%) met criteria for 2 components of the triad, and 2 girls (1.2%) met criteria for all 3 components. Oligomenorrheic/amenorrheic athletes had higher mean ± SD eating restraint (1.55 ± 1.60 vs 1.04 ± 1.27; P = .02) and Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire global scores (1.68 ± 1.20 vs 1.33 ± 1.14; P = .03) than eumenorrheic athletes. After controlling for age, age at menarche, body mass index, race/ethnicity, and sport type, athletes with oligomenorrhea/amenorrhea had significantly lower mean ± SD bone mineral densities for the trochanter (0.884 ± 0.090 g · cm–2) than eumenorrheic athletes (0.933 ± 0.130 g · cm–2; P = .04).
Conclusions The prevalence of the full female athlete triad was low in our sample; however, a substantial percentage of the athletes may be at risk for long-term health consequences associated with disordered eating, menstrual irregularity, or low bone mass. Preparticipation screening to identify these components should be encouraged as a preventive approach to identify high-risk athletes.
Author Affiliations: Department of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences (Drs Nichols and Rauh and Mss Lawson and Barkai) and Graduate School of Public Health (Drs Rauh and Ji), San Diego State University, San Diego, Calif; and Graduate Program in Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, Provo, Utah (Dr Rauh).
 CiteULike  Connotea  Delicious  Digg  Facebook  Reddit  Technorati  Twitter
What's this?
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES
|
Bone Microarchitecture Is Impaired in Adolescent Amenorrheic Athletes Compared with Eumenorrheic Athletes and Nonathletic Controls
Ackerman et al.
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 2011;96:3123-3133.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Body Composition of Young Athletes
Malina and Geithner
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF LIFESTYLE MEDICINE 2011;5:262-278.
ABSTRACT
Identification and Management of Eating Disorders in Children and Adolescents
Rosen and the Committee on Adolescence
Pediatrics 2010;126:1240-1253.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Common menstrual problems in adolescence
Fothergill
EDUCATION AND PRACTICE 2010;95:199-203.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Period problems: disorders of menstruation in adolescents
Peacock et al.
Arch. Dis. Child. 2010;0:adc.2009.160853v1-archdischild160853.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Letter to the Editor * Authors' Response
Vescovi et al.
Am J Sports Med 2008;36:e4-e5.
FULL TEXT
Bone Metabolism in Adolescent Athletes With Amenorrhea, Athletes With Eumenorrhea, and Control Subjects
Christo et al.
Pediatrics 2008;121:1127-1136.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Dietary restraint and low bone mass in female adolescent endurance runners
Barrack et al.
Am J Clin Nutr 2008;87:36-43.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
|
