Female athlete triad

A syndrome of interrelated conditions including disordered eating, menstrual dysfunction, and skeletal demineralization.

Disordered eating, absence of menstruation, and loss of bone mass, which may occur in female athletes.

The number of girls participating in sports has increased tremendously in the past three decades. However, in recent years a new concern has arisen with the development of the female athlete triad, or the “Triad.” The Triad is a serious syndrome that consists of disordered eating, amenorrhea, and osteoporosis. The Triad was initially thought to occur in elite athletes alone; however, it was later discovered that it can also occur in physically active women of all ages from all varieties of sports. Pressure to achieve and maintain a particular body weight or body shape might put the female athlete at risk for developing disordered eating behaviors. Those behaviors usually include food restriction and pathogenic weight control behaviors that might lead to menstrual dysfunction and to a subsequent decrease in bone mineral density. Without treatment, the bone loss could eventually result in osteoporosis. Alone or in combination, the disorders of the Triad can negatively affect health and impair athletic performance. When all three components of the Triad appear together it can result in even more serious problems and may even become life threatening.

Abnormal eating habits (eating disorders or disordered eating), amenorrhea, and osteoporosis among young female athletes. It is most common in sports in which low body weight has a beneficial effect on performance or appearance (e.g., gymnastics, running, swimming, and figure skating). Males participating in similar sports, or in wrestling, may also suffer the health-related effects of excessive training or abnormally restrictive eating. Disordered eating is often the first condition in the triad to appear.

Female athlete triad is a life-threatening syndrome marked by three disorders: eating habits disordered (inadequate food energy intake to meet metabolic demands), amenorrhea, and osteoporosis. This condition may be found in extremely physically active women.

Competitive Female Athlete Triad is a medical condition that encompasses a range of symptoms including irregular eating patterns, amenorrhea, and decreased bone mineral density. This condition predominantly affects female athletes who are involved in high-intensity sports and activities. The Triad has become an increasingly recognized and studied condition in recent years due to its potential long-term impact on the health and well-being of those affected.