Disordered eating and the female athlete triad

Female athletes are under intense pressure to have low body fat not only for performance but also for appearance. A vulnerable athlete trying to maintain a low body weight may succumb to disordered eating which may lead to amenorrhea and the subsequent bone loss or osteoporosis. These interrelated cascading events have been termed the Female Athlete Tried. The components of the Female Athlete Triad, including definitions, clinical criteria for diagnosis, and a discussion of prevalence in athletes versus non-athletes are presented in this article. A discussion of prevention strategies and programs for female athletes are also discussed. The article concludes with an outline of screening and therapeutic intervention for the female athlete triad.