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Risk of Low Energy Availability, Disordered Eating, Exercise Addiction, and Food Intolerances in Female Endurance Athletes
University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway.
Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Växjö, Sweden.
Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway; Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
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Number of Authors: 112022 (English)In: Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, E-ISSN 2624-9367, Vol. 4, article id 869594Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S) is a complex syndrome describing health and performance consequences of low energy availability (LEA) and is common among female endurance athletes. Various underlying causes of LEA have been reported, including disordered eating behavior (DE), but studies investigating the association with exercise addiction and food intolerances are lacking. Therefore, the aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the association between DE, exercise addiction and food intolerances in athletes at risk of LEA compared to those with low risk. Female endurance athletes, 18-35 years, training ≥5 times/week were recruited in Norway, Sweden, Ireland, and Germany. Participants completed an online-survey comprising the LEA in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q), Exercise Addiction Inventory (EAI), Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q), and questions regarding food intolerances. Of the 202 participants who met the inclusion criteria and completed the online survey, 65% were at risk of LEA, 23% were at risk of exercise addiction, and 21% had DE. Athletes at risk of LEA had higher EDE-Q and EAI scores compared to athletes with low risk. EAI score remained higher in athletes with risk of LEA after excluding athletes with DE. Athletes at risk of LEA did not report more food intolerances (17 vs. 10%, P = 0.198), but were more frequently reported by athletes with DE (28 vs. 11%, P = 0.004). In conclusion, these athletes had a high risk of LEA, exercise addiction, and DE. Exercise addiction should be considered as an additional risk factor in the prevention, early detection, and targeted treatment of RED-S among female endurance athletes.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2022. Vol. 4, article id 869594
Keywords [en]
Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire, Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S), compulsive exercise, eating disorder, endurance training, restrictive eating behavior
National Category
Sport and Fitness Sciences
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:du-41489DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2022.869594ISI: 000796965800001PubMedID: 35592590Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85130383951OAI: oai:DiVA.org:du-41489DiVA, id: diva2:1660673
Available from: 2022-05-24 Created: 2022-05-24 Last updated: 2025-02-11Bibliographically approved

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Gräfnings, Maria

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CiteExportLink to record
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Citation style
  • apa
  • ieee
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