Risk Factors for the Female Athlete Triad among Female Collegiate and Noncollegiate Athletes

The female athlete triad, defined by eating disorders, menstrual dysfunction, and osteoporosis, has been increasing among female athletes. The purpose of this study was to examine eating disorders, performance-related injuries, menstrual dysfunction, exercise time, calcium intake, and orientation to exercise among undergraduate female collegiate athletes (n = 37) and noncollegiate athletes (n = 18). Measures included the Orientation to Exercise Questionnaire (Yates, Edman, Crago, Crowell, & Zimmerman, 1999) and the Calcium Rapid Assessment Method (Hertzler & Frary, 1994). Findings indicated that eating disorders, performance related injuries, and menstrual dysfunction were reported by 8.6%, 67.6%, and 33.4% of the collegiate athletes and 11.1%, 27.9%, and 16.7% of the noncollegiate athletes, respectively. Collegiate athletes (M = 93.97, p = 0.0002) and those with a history of eating disorders (M = 94.22, p = 0.0016) had significantly higher scores on the Orientation to Exercise questionnaire than noncollegiate athletes (M = 81.97) and those not reporting an eating disorder (M = 81.72). Collegiate athletes reported a higher daily calcium intake (M = 2058.8 mg, p = 0.0228) than noncollegiate athletes (M = 1512.1 mg). Almost six percent (5.7%) of collegiate athletes and none of the other women reported both menstrual dysfunction and an eating disorder. Educational efforts should be continued for female athletes and coaches regarding menstrual dysfunction and subclinical eating disorders. (Contains 4 tables.)