Nutritional needs of the female athlete

The increasing popularity of women's sports has opened up many unique areas of interest regarding the health of women athletes. No area has generated more interest than nutrition, especially for athletes who are involved in sports in which "thinness" is a factor of successful performance. This article addresses the importance of adequate nutrition for both performance and health, with emphasis on the energy needs and consumption of adequate amounts of essential nutrients to meet those energy needs. Areas of discussion focus on disordered eating, amenorrhea, osteoporosis, and specific micronutrient requirements.