Low-energy density and high fiber intake are dietary concerns in female endurance athletesShow others and affiliations
2016 (English)In: Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, ISSN 0905-7188, E-ISSN 1600-0838, Vol. 26, no 9, p. 1060-1071Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
Low or reduced energy availability (LEA) is linked to functional hypothalamic oligomenorrhea/amenorrhea (FHA), which is frequently reported in weight-sensitive sports. This makes LEA a major nutritional concern for female athletes. The aim of this study was to describe dietary characteristics of athletes with LEA and/or FHA. Endurance athletes (n=45) were recruited from national teams and competitive clubs. Protocols included gynecological examination, body composition, eating disorder evaluation, and 7-day dietary intake and EA assessment. Athletes with disordered eating behavior/eating disorders (n=11), menstrual dysfunction other than FHA (n=5), and low dietary record validity (n=4) were excluded. Remaining subjects (n=25) were characterized by EA [optimal:45kcal (188kJ)/kg fat-free mass (FFM)/day (n=11), LEA:<45kcal (188kJ)/kg FFM/day (n=14)] and reproductive function [eumenorrhea (EUM; n=10), FHA (n=15)]. There was no difference in EA between FHA and EUM subjects. However, FHA and LEA subjects shared the same dietary characteristics of lower energy density (ED) [(P=0.012; P=0.020), respectively], and fat content [(P=0.047; P=0.027), respectively]. Furthermore, FHA subjects had a lower intake of carbohydrate-rich foods (P=0.019), higher fiber content (P<0.001), and drive for thinness score (P=0.003). Conclusively, low ED together with high fiber content may constitute targets for dietary intervention in order to prevent and treat LEA and FHA in female athletes.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Wiley-Blackwell, 2016. Vol. 26, no 9, p. 1060-1071
Keywords [en]
Amenorrhea, dietary fiber, energy availability, energy density
National Category
Sport and Fitness Sciences
Research subject
Social Sciences, Sport Science
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-81806DOI: 10.1111/sms.12516ISI: 000382714500009PubMedID: 26148242OAI: oai:DiVA.org:lnu-81806DiVA, id: diva2:1303755
2019-04-102019-04-102025-02-11Bibliographically approved