TITLE: INVESTIGATING THE PREVALENCE OF LOW ENERGY AVAILABILITY, DISORDERED EATING, AND EATING DISORDERS IN FEMALE TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETES IN THE UNITED STATES

 

PURPOSE: This prevalence study aimed to assess risk and investigate symptoms of low energy availability, disordered eating, and eating disorders among female track and field athletes, across all event groups, in the United States.

 

METHODS: Female athletes (n = 493; 18-55 years) participating in track and field in the United States at the college, recreational, elite, or professional level were recruited via social media, email, and at in-person competitions. Participants completed an anonymous online survey comprising of participant demographic information, the Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q) and the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q 6.0). Previously determined cut-off scores were used to assess risk; therefore, a LEAF-Q total score ≥ 8, and an EDE-Q global score ≥ 2.3 were used to categorize athletes at high risk for LEA and ED, respectively. Participation level and event group differences were explored.

 

RESULTS: Among the participants fulfilling the inclusion criteria (n = 318), 38% (n = 120) demonstrated high risk of LEA via LEAF-Q, with an average score among the total sample of 6.83. Twenty-three percent (n = 72) of participants had an elevated EDE-Q global score of ≥ 2.3, with an average score among the total sample of 1.38. In this sample, college track and field athletes (n = 64) had the highest mean LEAF-Q total score and EDE-Q global score of 7.75 and 1.54, respectively. The mean LEAF-Q score is just below the threshold of ≥ 8, which indicates high risk for LEA. Professional track and field athletes (n = 8) had the lowest mean LEAF-Q total score and EDE-Q score of 4.50 and 0.46, respectively. Based on event group, middle distance athletes (n = 18) had the highest mean LEAF-Q total score of 7.33, while distance athletes (n = 104) had the highest mean EDE-Q global score. Across the total sample, we observed higher LEAF-Q gastrointestinal and menstrual function sub-scales in participants with elevated LEAF-Q total scores. Additionally, we observed higher EDE-Q shape concern and weight shape sub-scales in participants with elevated EDE-Q global scores.

 

CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate the risk of LEA and ED/DE is common among adult females competing in track and field in the United States, especially those competing at the college and recreational level. LEA risk and ED/DE risk is particularly high in middle distance and distance events, compared to all other event groups. This study adds evidence that competitive track and field athletes have a lower risk for LEA and ED/DE, compared to their recreational counterparts, which supports the notion that low risk for LEA helps prevent against negative performance consequences. Therefore, it is important to employ intervention-based programs to prevent the negative health and performance consequences associated with REDs early in an athlete’s development, such as college.

 

Disclosure(s): The authors have nothing to declare.