A1 Journal article (refereed)
Self-Reported Restrictive Eating, Eating Disorders, Menstrual Dysfunction, and Injuries in Athletes Competing at Different Levels and Sports (2021)

Ravi, S., Ihalainen, J. K., Taipale-Mikkonen, R. S., Kujala, U. M., Waller, B., Mierlahti, L., Lehto, J., & Valtonen, M. (2021). Self-Reported Restrictive Eating, Eating Disorders, Menstrual Dysfunction, and Injuries in Athletes Competing at Different Levels and Sports. Nutrients, 13(9), Article 3275. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13093275

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Ravi, Suvi; Ihalainen, Johanna K.; Taipale-Mikkonen, Ritva S.; Kujala, Urho M.; Waller, Benjamin; Mierlahti, Laura; Lehto, Johanna; Valtonen, Maarit

Journal or series: Nutrients

eISSN: 2072-6643

Publication year: 2021

Publication date: 19/09/2021

Volume: 13

Issue number: 9

Article number: 3275

Publisher: MDPI AG

Publication country: Switzerland

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13093275

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/77922

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of self-reported restrictive eating, current or past eating disorder, and menstrual dysfunction and their relationships with injuries. Furthermore, we aimed to compare these prevalences and associations between younger (aged 15–24) and older (aged 25–45) athletes, between elite and non-elite athletes, and between athletes competing in lean and non-lean sports. Data were collected using a web-based questionnaire. Participants were 846 female athletes representing 67 different sports. Results showed that 25%, 18%, and 32% of the athletes reported restrictive eating, eating disorders, and menstrual dysfunction, respectively. Higher rates of lean sport athletes compared with non-lean sport athletes reported these symptoms, while no differences were found between elite and non-elite athletes. Younger athletes reported higher rates of menstrual dysfunction and lower lifetime prevalence of eating disorders. Both restrictive eating (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.02–1.94) and eating disorders (OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.31–2.73) were associated with injuries, while menstrual dysfunction was associated with more missed participation days compared with a regular menstrual cycle (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.05–3.07). Our findings indicate that eating disorder symptoms and menstrual dysfunction are common problems in athletes that should be managed properly as they are linked to injuries and missed training/competition days.

Keywords: athletes; women; eating disorders; menstruation; menstrual cycle; sports injuries

Free keywords: female athlete; eating disorder; disordered eating; menstrual irregularity; sports injury

Contributing organizations

Related projects

Ministry reporting: Yes

Preliminary JUFO rating: 1