A1 Journal article (refereed)
Association of LEAF-Q and EDE-QS scores with cholesterol levels in Finnish female athletes (2024)


Silvennoinen, J. K., Ihalainen, J. K., Valtonen, M., Mjøsund, K., & Sipilä, P. N. (2024). Association of LEAF-Q and EDE-QS scores with cholesterol levels in Finnish female athletes. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 10(3), Article e002050. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2024-002050


JYU authors or editors


Publication details

All authors or editorsSilvennoinen, Julia K.; Ihalainen, Johanna K.; Valtonen, Maarit; Mjøsund, Katja; Sipilä, Pyry N.

Journal or seriesBMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine

eISSN2055-7647

Publication year2024

Publication date13/09/2024

Volume10

Issue number3

Article numbere002050

PublisherBMJ Publishing Group

Publication countryUnited Kingdom

Publication languageEnglish

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2024-002050

Publication open accessOpenly available

Publication channel open accessOpen Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX)https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/97153


Abstract

Objective: Low energy availability (LEA) is common in athletes. Disturbances in sex hormone levels due to insufficient energy availability have been suggested to influence cholesterol metabolism and impact the overall risk for cardiovascular disease. We assessed the relationship between Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q) and Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire Short (EDE-QS) scores with cholesterol levels in a cross-sectional study of female athletes.

Method: Finnish national- to international-level female athletes self-reported physiological symptoms of LEA, including menstrual disturbances, using the LEAF-Q (n=176) and eating disorder symptoms using the EDE-QS (n=294). Serum cholesterol concentrations (mmol/L) were determined from venous blood samples. We analysed the relationship between the different variables using Pearson's r and linear regression. We also studied separately participants representing lean sports, that is, sports that emphasise leanness (LEAF-Q, n=60; EDE-QS, n=80).

Results: LEA symptoms were common; 72 (41%) of 176 participants scored ≥8 points in the LEAF-Q, which is indicative of a high risk of problematic LEA. A one-point increase in LEAF-Q score was associated with a small, non-significant increase in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level (beta=0.024, 95% CI -0.0011 to 0.049, p=0.061). Higher EDE-QS scores were associated with higher LDL cholesterol levels (beta=0.028, 95% CI 0.0098 to 0.046, p=0.0029). These associations were somewhat stronger among athletes representing lean sports (LEAF-Q and LDL: beta=0.043, 95% CI 0.0041 to 0.08, p=0.031; EDE-QS and LDL: beta=0.036, 95% CI 0.0041 to 0.068, p=0.028).

Conclusion: In this study, LEAF-Q and EDE-QS were associated with higher LDL cholesterol levels among athletes representing lean sports.


KeywordscholesterolLDL cholesteroleating disorderswomen's sportscompetitive sportscardiovascular diseases

Free keywordscardiology prevention; cholesterol; eating disorders; female athlete triad; sports & exercise medicin


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Ministry reportingYes

VIRTA submission year2024

Preliminary JUFO rating1


Last updated on 2024-19-10 at 20:26