School of Science and Technology, London Sports Institute, Middlesex University, London, UK.
Eur J Sport Sci. 2023 May;23(5):869-876. doi: 10.1080/17461391.2022.2079423. Epub 2022 Jun 2.
Eating disorders (ED), disordered eating (DE) and low energy availability (LEA) can be detrimental to health and performance. Previous studies have independently investigated the prevalence of ED, DE or LEA; however, limited studies have combined methods identifying risk within female runners. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of ED, DE and LEA in United Kingdom-based female runners and associations between age, competition level and running distance. The Female Athlete Screening Tool (FAST) and Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q) were used in a cross-sectional study design. A total of 524 responses eligible for analysis were received. A total of = 248 (47.3%), = 209 (40%) and = 49 (9.4%) athletes were at risk of LEA, DE and ED, respectively. LEAF-Q scores differed based upon age (Age: H 23.998, ≤ .05) and competitive level (Comp: H= 7.682, ≤ .05) whereas FAST scores differed based on age (Age: F= 4.753, ≤.05). Tukey's post-hoc tests showed significantly higher FAST scores in 18-24 years compared to all other age categories (≤ .05). Stepwise multiple regression demonstrated age and competitive level modestly predicted LEAF-Q scores ( = 0.047, F = 13.993, ≤ .05, VIF = 1.0) whereas age modestly predicted FAST scores ( = 0.022, F = 12.711, ≤ .05, VIF = 1.0). These findings suggest early identification, suitable screening methods and educational intervention programmes should be aimed at all levels of female endurance runners. A total of 524 female endurance completed a self-administered, online questionnaire screening for low energy availability, disordered eating and eating disorders risk.Age and competitive level modestly predicted low energy availability and age modestly predicted disordered eating and eating disorders in female endurance runners.A higher percentage of 18- to 24-year-old female endurance runners were at greater risk of low energy availability, disordered eating and eating disorders compared to other age categories.These findings highlight the need for regular screening in order to aid early interventions to prevent potential decrements in performance and health as endurance runners mature.
饮食失调（ED）、饮食紊乱（DE）和低能量可用性（LEA）可能对健康和表现产生不利影响。先前的研究已经独立调查了 ED、DE 或 LEA 的患病率；然而，有限的研究已经将方法结合起来，确定了女性跑步者的风险。本研究的目的是确定英国女性跑步者中 ED、DE 和 LEA 的患病率，以及年龄、比赛水平和跑步距离之间的关联。在横断面研究设计中使用了女性运动员筛查工具（FAST）和女性低能量可用性问卷（LEAF-Q）。共收到 524 份符合分析条件的回复。共有 248 名（47.3%）、209 名（40%）和 49 名（9.4%）运动员分别有发生 LEA、DE 和 ED 的风险。LEAF-Q 评分因年龄而异（Age：H23.998，≤.05）和竞技水平（Comp：H=7.682，≤.05），而 FAST 评分因年龄而异（Age：F=4.753，≤.05）。Tukey 的事后检验显示，18-24 岁的 FAST 评分明显高于其他所有年龄段（≤.05）。逐步多元回归表明，年龄和竞技水平适度预测 LEAF-Q 评分（=0.047，F=13.993，≤.05，VIF=1.0），而年龄适度预测 FAST 评分（=0.022，F=12.711，≤.05，VIF=1.0）。这些发现表明，应该针对所有级别的女性耐力跑步者进行早期识别、适当的筛查方法和教育干预计划。共有 524 名女性耐力运动员完成了一项自我管理的在线问卷筛查，以评估低能量可用性、饮食紊乱和饮食失调的风险。年龄和竞技水平适度预测女性耐力运动员的低能量可用性，年龄适度预测饮食紊乱和饮食失调。与其他年龄组相比，18 至 24 岁的女性耐力运动员有更大的低能量可用性、饮食紊乱和饮食失调风险。这些发现强调了需要定期筛查，以帮助早期干预，防止耐力运动员成熟时潜在的表现和健康下降。
