Characteristics of the female athlete triad in collegiate cross-country runners

The Female Athlete Triad is a life-threatening syndrome defined by disordered eating, amenorrhea, and osteoporosis. OBJECTIVE AND PARTICIPANTS: The author's purpose in this study was to examine female cross-country runners' (N=300) calcium consumption, along with the prevalence of 2 components of the triad: disordered eating and menstrual dysfunction. METHODS: The author used measures including the Orientation to Exercise Questionnaire, Calcium Rapid Assessment Method, and questions related to height, weight, exercise time, perceptions of eating disorders, and menstrual status. Previous or current eating disorders were reported by 19.4% of the women, 23.0% had irregular menstrual cycles, and 29.1% had inadequate calcium intake. RESULTS: Those athletes perceiving a previous/current eating disorder scored higher on the Orientation to Exercise questionnaire than did those who did not perceive such. CONCLUSION: The author recommends educational efforts for the prevention of components of the Female Athlete Triad.