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 editors: Silvennoinen, Julia K.; Ihalainen, Johanna K.; Valtonen, Maarit; Mjøsund, Katja; Sipilä, Pyry N.
Journal or series: BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine
eISSN: 2055-7647
Publication year: 2024
Publication date: 13/09/2024
Volume: 10
Issue number: 3
Article number: e002050
Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
Publication country: United Kingdom
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2024-002050
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Open Access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/97153
Abstract
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.
Keywords: cholesterol; LDL cholesterol; eating disorders; women's sports; competitive sports; cardiovascular diseases
Free keywords: cardiology prevention; cholesterol; eating disorders; female athlete triad; sports & exercise medicin
Contributing organizations
Related projects
- Prevalence, consequences, and prevention of relative energy defiency in sport in Finnish Elite Female Athletes (NoREDS-study)
- Ihalainen, Johanna
- Ministry of Education and Culture
- Training Room Jyväskylä Hippos - osaamiskeskittymän kehittämishanke
- Heinonen, Ari
- Council of Tampere Region
Ministry reporting: Yes
VIRTA submission year: 2024
Preliminary JUFO rating: 1