The female athlete triad （FAT） is the relationship between the clinical manifestations of eating disorders, menstrual function, and osteoporosis, which research has reported female athletes being at a higher risk. T...The female athlete triad （FAT） is the relationship between the clinical manifestations of eating disorders, menstrual function, and osteoporosis, which research has reported female athletes being at a higher risk. The purpose of this study was to examine if predictive measures are indications of the FAT in collegiate track athletes. Twenty-five female cross-country, track and field athletes were evaluated for potential risk of the FAT by completing the 33 question Female Athlete Screening Tool （FAST） and a Student Athlete Health Questionnaire （SAHQ）. The FAST identified the needs of the female athlete, while the SAHQ assessed risk and the prevalence of impaired bone health, menstrual dysfunction, nutritional concerns, and body dissatisfaction. None of the participants were identified as having the fully developed FAT, however 48% met at risk criteria. A Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare risk scores, with no comparisons demonstrating significance. It is clear the number of female athletes meeting the strict criteria of the current FAT is relatively low, yet many suffer from milder forms of the components. Any form of the components is harmful from a health and performance perspective and may he fatal with some not receiving the interventions needed.展开更多
文摘The female athlete triad （FAT） is the relationship between the clinical manifestations of eating disorders, menstrual function, and osteoporosis, which research has reported female athletes being at a higher risk. The purpose of this study was to examine if predictive measures are indications of the FAT in collegiate track athletes. Twenty-five female cross-country, track and field athletes were evaluated for potential risk of the FAT by completing the 33 question Female Athlete Screening Tool （FAST） and a Student Athlete Health Questionnaire （SAHQ）. The FAST identified the needs of the female athlete, while the SAHQ assessed risk and the prevalence of impaired bone health, menstrual dysfunction, nutritional concerns, and body dissatisfaction. None of the participants were identified as having the fully developed FAT, however 48% met at risk criteria. A Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare risk scores, with no comparisons demonstrating significance. It is clear the number of female athletes meeting the strict criteria of the current FAT is relatively low, yet many suffer from milder forms of the components. Any form of the components is harmful from a health and performance perspective and may he fatal with some not receiving the interventions needed.
