@article{ref1,
title="Self-reported restrictive eating, eating disorders, menstrual dysfunction, and injuries in athletes competing at different levels and sports",
journal="Nutrients",
year="2021",
author="Ravi, Suvi and Ihalainen, Johanna K. and Taipale-Mikkonen, Ritva S. and Kujala, Urho M. and Waller, Benjamin and Mierlahti, Laura and Lehto, Johanna and Valtonen, Maarit",
volume="13",
number="9",
pages="e3275-e3275",
abstract="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. <br><br>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.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2072-6643",
doi="10.3390/nu13093275",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/nu13093275"
}