Self-Reported Restrictive Eating, Eating Disorders, Menstrual Dysfunction, and Injuries in Athletes Competing at Different Levels and Sports

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of self-reported restrictive eating, current or past eating disorder, and menstrual dysfunction and their relationships with injuries. Furthermore, we aimed to compare these prevalences and associations between younger (aged 15-24) and older (aged 25-45) athletes, between elite and non-elite athletes, and between athletes competing in lean and non-lean sports. Data were collected using a web-based questionnaire. Participants were 846 female athletes representing 67 different sports. Results showed that 25%, 18%, and 32% of the athletes reported restrictive eating, eating disorders, and menstrual dysfunction, respectively. Higher rates of lean sport athletes compared with non-lean sport athletes reported these symptoms, while no differences were found between elite and non-elite athletes. Younger athletes reported higher rates of menstrual dysfunction and lower lifetime prevalence of eating disorders. Both restrictive eating (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.02-1.94) and eating disorders (OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.31-2.73) were associated with injuries, while menstrual dysfunction was associated with more missed participation days compared with a regular menstrual cycle (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.05-3.07). Our findings indicate that eating disorder symptoms and menstrual dysfunction are common problems in athletes that should be managed properly as they are linked to injuries and missed training/competition days

Sport Science on Women, Women in Sport Science

nonPeerReviewe

Insulin like growth factor 1.

<p>* inside column = significant change (p<0.05) from pre in absolute GH concentrations,+ = significant change (p<0.05) in absolute IGF-1 from mid, # = significant change (p<0.05) in absolute IGF-1 from post.</p

Absolute morning concentrations of serum hormones.

<p>Significant difference between loadings = ¤ (p<0.05) and ¤¤ (p<0.01). Significant difference from Pre – AM measurements = * (p<0.05) and ** (p<0.01. Significant difference from 24 h – AM measurements = + (p<0.05). Significant difference between men and women in T at all time-points, in GH at pre in S+E p<0.05 and in SHBG at all time-points.</p

Serum cortisol.

<p>** inside column = significant change (p<0.01) from pre in absolute serum cortisol concentrations,+++ = significant change (p<0.001) in absolute serum cortisol from mid. *[ = significant difference (p<0.05) between relative changes in serum cortisol concentrations from pre in men and women, *( = p<0.05 significant differences between relative changes from pre in ES and SE loadings.</p

Growth hormone.

<p>**,*** inside column = significant change (p<0.01, p<0.001) from pre in absolute GH concentrations,+++ = significant change (p<0.001) in absolute GH from mid, ##, ### = significant change (p<0.01, p<0.001) in absolute GH from post, *[, **[ = significant difference (p<0.05, p<0.01) between changes in GH concentrations from pre in men and women, ***( = p<0.001 significant differences between relative changes from pre in ES and SE loadings.</p

Isometric rate of force development.

<p>*, **, *** inside column = significant change (p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.001) in absolute rate of force development from pre, ## = significant change (p<0.01) in absolute rate of force development from post. *[ = significant difference (p<0.05) between changes in RFD from pre in men and women. *( = significant difference (p<0.05) between relative changes from pre in ES and SE loadings.</p