Humana Health Watch Transcript Archive

October 20

Female "Athlete Triad"

Exercise is good not only for adults, but also for growing children. However, young female athletes may face some long-term health challenges called the female "athlete triad."

Young female athletes can develop dangerous eating habits, which can lead to menstrual irregularities, which can then lead to thin and weak bones.

Some physically active girls don’t realize they need to take in more calories to sustain their increased activity. But others may restrict their intake because they think it might make them perform or look better. In more extreme cases, some girls will even binge or purge.

This disordered eating pattern can eventually impair the athlete’s performance and even increase the risk of injury. And it can also affect female hormones, leading to changes in the menstrual cycle, including stopping it altogether.

This change in the menstrual cycle affects the body’s supply of estrogen, which is needed to build bone. If the hormonal imbalance lasts long enough, the girl may have less bone mass than others her same age—this can lead to fractures in the future.

The message is not to discourage girls from participating in sports. But it is a good idea for parents and coaches to be aware of these issues, so that these young girls don’t pay later for what they’re doing to their bodies today.

What should parents and coaches look for specifically?

Look for these signs: over-exercising, under-eating or being underweight, delayed puberty, or she’s stopped having periods. This is the time to consult the doctor.

REFERENCE:

Compulsive Exercise: When Working Out Wears You Out
The Nemours Foundation, Teen Health
www.kidshealth.org/teen/nutrition/move/compulsive_exercise.html

On the Teen Scene: A Balanced Look at the Menstrual Cycle
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
www.fda.gov/opacom/catalog/ots_mens.html

On the Teen Scene: Eating Disorders Require Medical Attention
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
www.fda.gov/opacom/catalog/eatdis.html

October 20
Female "Athlete Triad"
	Exercise is good not only for adults, but also for growing children. However, young female athletes may face some long-term health challenges called the female "athlete triad." Young female athletes can develop dangerous eating habits, which can lead to menstrual irregularities, which can then lead to thin and weak bones. Some physically active girls don’t realize they need to take in more calories to sustain their increased activity. But others may restrict their intake because they think it might make them perform or look better. In more extreme cases, some girls will even binge or purge. This disordered eating pattern can eventually impair the athlete’s performance and even increase the risk of injury. And it can also affect female hormones, leading to changes in the menstrual cycle, including stopping it altogether. This change in the menstrual cycle affects the body’s supply of estrogen, which is needed to build bone. If the hormonal imbalance lasts long enough, the girl may have less bone mass than others her same age—this can lead to fractures in the future. The message is not to discourage girls from participating in sports. But it is a good idea for parents and coaches to be aware of these issues, so that these young girls don’t pay later for what they’re doing to their bodies today.

	What should parents and coaches look for specifically? Look for these signs: over-exercising, under-eating or being underweight, delayed puberty, or she’s stopped having periods. This is the time to consult the doctor.
	REFERENCE: Compulsive Exercise: When Working Out Wears You Out The Nemours Foundation, Teen Health www.kidshealth.org/teen/nutrition/move/compulsive_exercise.html On the Teen Scene: A Balanced Look at the Menstrual Cycle U.S. Food and Drug Administration www.fda.gov/opacom/catalog/ots_mens.html On the Teen Scene: Eating Disorders Require Medical Attention U.S. Food and Drug Administration www.fda.gov/opacom/catalog/eatdis.html