Prevalence of female athlete triad characteristics in a club triathlon team.

Abstract

To determine the prevalence of the female athlete triad in club triathletes. Cross-sectional. Academic medical center in the midwestern United States. Fifteen women (mean age, 35+/-6 y). Not applicable. 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. 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)). 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.