Prevalence of female athlete triad characteristics in a club triathlon team.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of the female athlete triad in club triathletes.


METHODS
Cross-sectional.


METHODS
Academic medical center in the midwestern United States.


METHODS
Fifteen women (mean age, 35+/-6 y).


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Disordered eating and menstrual status were determined by questionnaires. Energy status was determined by a 3-day food record, resting energy expenditure, and exercise energy output. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured in the total left hip and lumbar spine (L2-4) by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry.


RESULTS
Sixty percent of the triathletes were found to be in calorie deficit, 53% had a carbohydrate deficit, 47% had a fat deficit, 40% had a protein deficit, and 33% had a calcium deficit. Forty percent of triathletes reported a history of amenorrhea. BMD was normal in the lumbar spine (L2-4) (1.3+/-0.1 g/cm(2)) and total left hip (1.1+/-0.1 g/cm(2)).


CONCLUSIONS
Triathletes are at risk for components of the female athlete triad. Continued efforts need to be directed at prevention through education of athletes, coaches, parents, and health care professionals.
Hoch
Anne Z
AZ
Women's Sports Medicine Program/Sports Medicine Center, Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA. azeni@mcw.edu
Stavrakos
John E
JE
Schimke
Jane E
JE
D000328:Adult; D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015519:Bone Density; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D013177:Sports