Auckland University of Technology, Sport Performance Research Institute New Zealand (SPRINZ), Auckland, New Zealand.
California State Polytechnic University, Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion, Pomona, CA, USA.
J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2024 Dec;21(1):2433743. doi: 10.1080/15502783.2024.2433743. Epub 2024 Nov 23.
While body image dissatisfaction (BID) and eating disorders (EDs) are relatively common in athletes (ranging from 11% to 67% of athletes, depending on the sport) [1], they are also prevalent in weight-class restricted sports (a common format in strength sports), and among physique athletes [2]. These athletes manipulate their nutrition to reach aesthetic or body weight standards and, in that process, may undergo prolonged periods of low energy availability. Low energy availability, defined as consuming insufficient energy for one's lean mass and exercise activity, can lead to Relative Energy Deficiency in sport (REDs), a syndrome that can impact menstrual cycle (MC) symptoms (and many other aspects of physiology and psychology) [3]. There has not been an investigation into the relationships between these resistance-trained (RT) athletes' nutritional habits, MC-related symptoms, BIDs, and EDs.
A survey was implemented to explore the dieting habits, MC characteristics, BID, and EDs in RT females.
64.6% ( = 469) of participants reported tracking calories, with a slightly higher percentage of competitive athletes tracking calories 71.8% ( = 181) than recreational-level athletes. Competitive athletes were significantly more likely to track calories than recreational-level athletes ( = 0.003). When asked what the primary purpose of calorie restriction was, most participants selected weight loss for aesthetic purposes 58.8% ( = 356). Competitive athletes were less likely to select weight loss for aesthetic purposes 35.7% ( = 77), but weight loss for the purpose of a weight class-based sport was higher at 43.5% ( = 94). There were no significant associations between BID and MC characteristics or most MC symptoms and limited associations between EDs and MC characteristics and symptoms.
RT athletes exhibited a higher prevalence of calorie tracking than the general population. Competitive RT athletes were less likely to calorie restrict for aesthetic purposes than non-athletes, but more likely to calorie restrict for the purpose of weight-class-based sports. There were limited significant associations between BID and MC characteristics or MC symptoms, as well as between EDs and MC characteristics. However, there was a significant association between amenorrhea and EDs, which aligns with previous research in this area. Both BID and EDs were significantly associated with MC-based mental health effects; this is likely due to the interconnected nature of mental health concerns, such as EDs with depression and anxiety.
尽管身体形象不满（BID）和饮食失调（EDs）在运动员中相对常见（根据运动项目的不同，运动员的比例从 11%到 67%不等）[1]，但它们也在体重限制运动（力量运动中常见的一种形式）和体型运动员中普遍存在[2]。这些运动员通过控制自己的营养摄入来达到美学或体重标准，在此过程中，他们可能会经历长时间的低能量供应。低能量供应是指摄入的能量不足以满足瘦体重和运动活动的需要，这可能导致运动中的相对能量不足（REDS），这是一种会影响月经周期（MC）症状（以及许多其他生理和心理方面）的综合征[3]。目前还没有研究调查这些进行阻力训练（RT）的运动员的营养习惯、MC 相关症状、BID 和 EDs 之间的关系。
实施了一项调查，以探索 RT 女性的节食习惯、MC 特征、BID 和 EDs。
64.6%（ = 469）的参与者报告说他们在跟踪卡路里摄入量，其中竞技运动员跟踪卡路里的比例略高，为 71.8%（ = 181），而娱乐级运动员的比例为 64.6%。竞技运动员比娱乐级运动员更有可能跟踪卡路里摄入量（ = 0.003）。当被问及限制卡路里的主要目的是什么时，大多数参与者选择了出于美容目的减轻体重 58.8%（ = 356）。竞技运动员不太可能出于美容目的选择减轻体重 35.7%（ = 77），但为了参加基于体重级别的运动而减轻体重的比例较高，为 43.5%（ = 94）。BID 和 MC 特征或大多数 MC 症状之间没有显著关联，EDs 和 MC 特征和症状之间的关联也有限。
RT 运动员的卡路里摄入量比一般人群更高。竞技 RT 运动员不太可能出于美容目的限制卡路里摄入，而不是非运动员，但更有可能为了参加基于体重级别的运动而限制卡路里摄入。BID 和 MC 特征或 MC 症状之间以及 EDs 和 MC 特征之间的关联都很有限。然而，闭经与 EDs 之间存在显著关联，这与该领域的先前研究一致。BID 和 EDs 都与基于 MC 的心理健康影响显著相关；这可能是由于心理健康问题（如 ED 与抑郁和焦虑）之间存在相互关联的性质。
