Bone parameters in relation to attitudes and feelings associated with disordered eating in oligo-amenorrheic athletes, eumenorrheic athletes, and nonathletes

2023 International Olympic Committee's (IOC) consensus statement on Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs)

Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) was first introduced in 2014 by the International Olympic Committee's expert writing panel, identifying a syndrome of deleterious health and performance outcomes experienced by female and male athletes exposed to low energy availability (LEA; inadequate energy intake in relation to exercise energy expenditure). Since the 2018 REDs consensus, there have been >170 original research publications advancing the field of REDs science, including emerging data demonstrating the growing role of low carbohydrate availability, further evidence of the interplay between mental health and REDs and more data elucidating the impact of LEA in males. Our knowledge of REDs signs and symptoms has resulted in updated Health and Performance Conceptual Models and the development of a novel Physiological Model. This Physiological Model is designed to demonstrate the complexity of either problematic or adaptable LEA exposure, coupled with individual moderating factors, leading to changes in health and performance outcomes. Guidelines for safe and effective body composition assessment to help prevent REDs are also outlined. A new REDs Clinical Assessment Tool-Version 2 is introduced to facilitate the detection and clinical diagnosis of REDs based on accumulated severity and risk stratification, with associated training and competition recommendations. Prevention and treatment principles of REDs are presented to encourage best practices for sports organisations and clinicians. Finally, methodological best practices for REDs research are outlined to stimulate future high-quality research to address important knowledge gaps.

Support for inadvertent undereating in female adolescent athletes with clinical indicators of low energy availability

OBJECTIVES

This study evaluated pathways to low energy availability in a sample of female adolescent athletes (n = 464).

DESIGN

Cross-sectional.

METHODS

Participants (age 13-18 y) underwent assessments for height, weight, eating attitudes and behaviors, and menstrual function. Bone mineral density and body composition were evaluated by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry in a subset of participants (n = 209). Athletes were classified with clinical indicators of low energy availability if they met criteria for 1) primary or secondary amenorrhea or 2) clinical underweight status (body mass index-for-age < 5th percentile). Disordered eating was assessed using the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire.

RESULTS

Thirty (6.5%) athletes exhibited clinical indicators of low energy availability, with higher estimates in leanness than non-leanness sports (10.9% vs. 2.1%, p < 0.005). Among athletes with clinical indicators of low energy availability, 80% (n = 24) did not meet criteria for disordered eating, eating disorder, or report the desire to lose weight. Athletes with (vs. without) clinical indicators of low energy availability exhibited lower lumbar spine (-1.30 ± 1.38 vs. -0.07 ± 1.21, p < 0.001) and total body (-0.30 ± 0.98 vs. 0.53 ± 0.97, p < 0.006) bone mineral density Z-scores.

CONCLUSIONS

A majority of female adolescent athletes with clinical indicators of low energy availability did not exhibit characteristics consistent with intentional dietary restriction, supporting the significance of the inadvertent pathway to low energy availability and need for increased nutrition education in this population.

Bone mineral density in response to increased energy intake in exercising women with oligomenorrhea/amenorrhea: the REFUEL randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Energy deficiency can result in menstrual disturbances and compromised bone health in women, a condition known as the Female Athlete Triad.

OBJECTIVES

The REFUEL randomized controlled trial assessed the impact of increased energy intake on bone health and menstrual function in exercising women with menstrual disturbances.

METHODS

Exercising women with oligomenorrhea/amenorrhea (Oligo/Amen) were randomly assigned to an intervention group (Oligo/Amen + Cal, n = 40, mean ± SEM age: 21.3 ± 0.5 y; weight: 55.0 ± 1.0 kg; BMI: 20.4 ± 0.3 kg/m2) who increased energy intake 20%-40% above baseline energy needs for 12 mo or a control group (Oligo/Amen Control, n = 36; mean ± SEM age: 20.7 ± 0.5 y; weight: 59.1 ± 1.3 kg; BMI: 21.3 ± 0.4 kg/m2). Energy intake and expenditure, metabolic and reproductive hormones, body composition, and areal bone mineral density (aBMD) were assessed.

RESULTS

Oligo/Amen + Cal improved energy status [increased body mass (2.6 ± 0.4 kg), BMI (0.9 ± 0.2 kg/m2), fat mass (2.0 ± 0.3 kg), body fat percentage (2.7% ± 0.4%), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (37.4 ± 14.6 ng/mL)] compared with Oligo/Amen Control and experienced a greater likelihood of menses (P < 0.05). Total body and spine aBMD remained unchanged (P > 0.05). Both groups demonstrated decreased femoral neck aBMD at month 6 (-0.006 g/cm2; 95% CI: -0.011, -0.0002 g/cm2 ; time main effect P = 0.043) and month 12 (-0.011 g/cm2; 95% CI: -0.021, -0.001 g/cm2; time main effect P = 0.023). Both groups demonstrated a decrease in total hip aBMD at month 6 (-0.006 g/cm2; 95% CI: -0.011, -0.002 g/cm2; time main effect P = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

Although higher dietary energy intake increased weight, body fat, and menstrual frequency, bone mineral density was not improved, compared with the control group. The 12-mo intervention may have been too short and the increase in energy intake (∼352 kcal/d), although sufficient to increase menstrual frequency, was insufficient to increase estrogen or improve aBMD. Future research should refine the optimal nutritional and/or pharmacological interventions for the recovery of bone health in athletes and exercising women with Oligo/Amen.This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00392873.

Functional hypothalamic amenorrhea: Impact on bone and neuropsychiatric outcomes

Functional hypothalamic amenorrhea is a state of reversible hypogonadism common in adolescents and young women that can be triggered by energy deficit or emotional stress or a combination of these factors. Energy deficit may be a consequence of (i) reduced caloric intake, as seen in patients with eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, or (ii) excessive exercise, when caloric intake is insufficient to meet the needs of energy expenditure. In these conditions of energy deficit, suppression of the hypothalamic secretion of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (with resulting hypoestrogenism) as well as other changes in hypothalamic-pituitary function may occur as an adaptive response to limited energy availability. Many of these adaptive changes, however, are deleterious to reproductive, skeletal, and neuropsychiatric health. Particularly, normoestrogenemia is critical for normal bone accrual during adolescence, and hypoestrogenemia during this time may lead to deficits in peak bone mass acquisition with longstanding effects on skeletal health. The adolescent years are also a time of neurological changes that impact cognitive function, and anxiety and depression present more frequently during this time. Normal estrogen status is essential for optimal cognitive function (particularly verbal memory and executive function) and may impact emotion and mood. Early recognition of women at high risk of developing hypothalamic amenorrhea and its timely management with a multidisciplinary team are crucial to prevent the severe and long-term effects of this condition.

Disordered Eating, Development of Menstrual Irregularity, and Reduced Bone Mass Change After a 3-Year Follow-Up In Female Adolescent Endurance Runners

This prospective study evaluated the 3-year change in menstrual function and bone mass among 40 female adolescent endurance runners (age 15.9 ± 1.0 years) according to baseline disordered eating status. Three years after initial data collection, runners underwent follow-up measures including the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire and a survey evaluating menstrual function, running training, injury history, and prior sports participation. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure bone mineral density and body composition. Runners with a weight concern, shape concern, or global score ≥4.0 or reporting >1 pathologic behavior in the past 28 days were classified with disordered eating. Compared with runners with normal Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire scores at baseline, runners with disordered eating at baseline reported fewer menstrual cycles/year (6.4 ± 4.5 vs. 10.5 ± 2.8, p = .005), more years of amenorrhea (1.6 ± 1.4 vs. 0.3 ± 0.5, p = .03), and a higher proportion of menstrual irregularity (75.0% vs. 31.3%, p = .02) and failed to increase lumbar spine or total hip bone mineral density at the 3-year follow-up. In a multivariate model including body mass index and menstrual cycles in the past year at baseline, baseline shape concern score (B = -0.57, p value = .001) was inversely related to the annual number of menstrual cycles between assessments. Weight concern score (B = -0.40, p value = .005) was inversely associated with lumbar spine bone mineral density Z-score change between assessments according to a multivariate model adjusting for age and body mass index. These finding support associations between disordered eating at baseline and future menstrual irregularities or reduced accrual of lumbar spine bone mass in female adolescent endurance runners.

Changes in marrow adipose tissue in relation to changes in bone parameters following estradiol replacement in adolescent and young adult females with functional hypothalamic amenorrhea

CONTEXT

Low energy availability causes disruption of hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone secretion leading to functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA) and hypoestrogenism, which in turn contributes to decreased bone mineral density (BMD) and increased bone marrow adipose tissue (MAT). Transdermal estradiol administration in physiologic doses increases BMD in adolescents and adults with FHA. However, the impact of estrogen replacement on MAT in relation to changes in BMD has not been studied in adolescents and young adults. We hypothesized that physiologic estrogen replacement would lead to decreases in MAT, associated with increases in BMD.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

We studied 15 adolescent and young adult females with FHA (14-25 years). All participants received a17β- estradiol transdermal patch at a dose of 0.1 mg/day (applied twice weekly) for 12 months. Participants also received cyclic progestin for 10-12 days each month. We quantified MAT (lipid/water ratio) of the fourth lumbar (L4) vertebral body and femoral diaphysis by single proton (1H)-magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and compartmental volumetric BMD of the distal radius and tibia using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography.

RESULTS

Transdermal estradiol therapy over 12 months resulted in a decrease in MAT at the lumbar (L4) vertebra from 0.92 ± 0.55 at baseline to 0.63 ± 0.29 at 12-months (p = 0.008), and an increase in radial and tibial cortical vBMD (p = 0.006, p = 0.0003). Changes in L4 MAT trended to be inversely associated with changes in radial cortical vBMD (rho = -0.47, p = 0.08).

CONCLUSION

We show that in adolescent and young adult girls with FHA, MAT decreases following transdermal estrogen therapy and these changes are associated with increased cortical vBMD.

Cognitive dietary restraint score is associated with lower energy, carbohydrate, fat, and grain intake among female adolescent endurance runners

This cross-sectional study investigated associations between cognitive dietary restraint (CDR), energy, macronutrient and food group intake, menstrual function, and bone density in female adolescent endurance runners. Participants were forty female adolescent endurance runners. The independent variable was CDR, as assessed by the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ). Runners with CDR subscale scores ≥11 were classified with elevated CDR. The main outcomes measured were dietary intake measured by 24-hour recall for 7 days, menstrual history, and bone mineral density (BMD). Twelve of 40 participants (30.0%) met criteria for elevated CDR. Compared to runners with normal CDR, runners with elevated CDR scores reported consuming lower energy (kcal/kg/day) (37.5 ± 8.6 vs. 44.0 ± 9.6, p = 0.052), lower carbohydrate (g/kg/day) (5.3 ± 1.3 vs. 6.3 ± 1.3, p = 0.042), more fiber (g/day) (24.9 ± 6.7 vs. 20.0 ± 5.3, p = 0.018), more servings of fruit (3.3 ± 1.4 vs. 1.9 ± 1.2, p = 0.003), more servings of vegetables (2.7 ± 1.4 vs. 1.7 ± 0.7, p = 0.004), and fewer servings of grain (7.6 ± 2.4 vs. 9.8 ± 2.4, p = 0.009) per day. Runners with elevated CDR exhibited significantly lower lumbar spine BMD Z-scores (adjusting for BMI) (-0.78 ± 0.19 vs. -0.22 ± 0.12, p = 0.016) than runners with normal CDR. Menstrual history did not significantly differ based on CDR status. Elevated CDR may increase risk of dietary patterns associated with consuming inadequate levels of energy, key nutrients, and developing low BMD in endurance runners. Trial Registration:ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01059968.

Geometric and "True" Densitometric Characteristics of Bones in Athletes with Stress Fracture and Menstrual Disturbances: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Stress fractures can lead to short- and long-term consequences, impacting participation in sport and general health. Recognizing which skeletal characteristics render bones susceptible to stress fracture may aid stress-fracture prevention. Menstrual disturbances among exercising women are a known risk factor for stress fracture; therefore, assessing skeletal commonalities between women with stress fractures and women with menstrual disturbances may increase our understanding of why menstrual disturbances put athletes at greater risk for stress fracture. Three-dimensional (3D) bone imaging tools provide detailed information about volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) and bone structure that cannot be obtained using traditional two-dimensional (2D) techniques.

OBJECTIVES

This systematic review serves to: (1) evaluate the current literature available on vBMD, bone geometry, and bone structure in exercising women with menstrual disturbances and exercising women with stress fractures, and (2) assess the common skeletal characteristics between both conditions. Our aim is to reveal bone properties beyond 2D areal BMD that may indicate increased susceptibility to stress fracture among exercising women with menstrual disturbances.

SEARCH METHODS

A search of the PubMed/Medline database was completed in May 2018.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Eligible articles included those that reported vBMD, bone geometry, or bone structure obtained from 3D imaging techniques or estimated from 2D imaging techniques. Only studies conducted in premenopausal exercising women and girls who had a stress fracture, a menstrual disturbance, or both were included.

RESULTS

Twenty-four articles met the inclusion criteria. Bone area and cortical thickness at the tibia were identified as altered both in women with menstrual disturbances and in women with stress fractures; however, there was inconsistency in the results observed for all bone parameters. The majority of skeletal parameters of the lower extremities were not significantly different between exercising women with and without stress fractures and between those with and without menstrual disturbances.

DISCUSSION

Most studies were moderate or low quality based on study design, and only one article combined both conditions to explore vBMD and bone geometry in athletes with menstrual disturbances and a history of stress fracture. These findings highlight the need for more skeletal research on the intersection of these health conditions in exercising women. The lack of observed differences in skeletal parameters suggests that risk factors other than bone geometry and structure may be the primary causes of stress fracture in these women.

Eating Behavior Traits, Weight Loss Attempts, and Vertebral Dimensions Among the General Northern Finnish Population

STUDY DESIGN

A population-based birth cohort study.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the associations of eating behavior traits and weight loss attempts with vertebral size among the general Northern Finnish population.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Vertebral fragility fractures are a typical manifestation of osteoporosis, and small vertebral dimensions are a well-established risk factor for vertebral fracturing. Previous studies have associated cognitive eating restraint and diet-induced weight loss with deteriorated bone quality at various skeletal sites, but data on vertebral geometry are lacking.

METHODS

This study of 1338 middle-aged Northern Finns evaluated the associations of eating behavior traits (flexible and rigid cognitive restraint of eating, uncontrolled eating, emotional eating; assessed by the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-18) and weight loss attempts (assessed by a separate questionnaire item) with magnetic resonance imaging-derived vertebral cross-sectional area (CSA). Sex-stratified linear regression models were used to analyze the data, taking body mass index, leisure-time physical activity, general diet, smoking, and socioeconomic status as potential confounders.

RESULTS

Women with rigid or rigid-and-flexible cognitive eating restraints had 3.2% to 3.4% smaller vertebral CSA than those with no cognitive restraint (P ≤ 0.05). Similarly, the women who reported multiple weight loss attempts in adulthood and midlife had 3.5% smaller vertebral size than those who did not (P = 0.03). Other consistent findings were not obtained from either sex.

CONCLUSION

Rigid cognitive eating restraint and multiple weight loss attempts predict small vertebral size and thus decreased spinal health among middle-aged women, but not among men. Future longitudinal studies should confirm these findings.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3.

Estrogen administration improves the trajectory of eating disorder pathology in oligo-amenorrheic athletes: A randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

Estrogen replacement prevents worsening body dissatisfaction with weight gain in adolescents with anorexia nervosa. However, the impact of estrogen administration on eating disorder (ED) pathology in normal-weight young women with exercise-induced amenorrhea is unknown. We hypothesized that (1) normal-weight oligo-amenorrheic athletes (OA) would show greater ED pathology than eumenorrheic athletes (EA) and non-athletes (NA), and (2) 12 months of estrogen replacement would improve those symptoms.

TRIAL DESIGN

Randomized trial.

METHODS

One hundred seventeen OA, 50 EA, and 41 NA completed the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 (EDI-2) for measures of Drive for Thinness (DT) and Body Dissatisfaction (BD) and the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-R18 (TFEQ-R18). OA were then randomized to receive 100 mcg transdermal 17β-estradiol with cyclic progesterone (PATCH), an oral contraceptive pill (30 mcg ethinyl estradiol + 0.15 mg desogestrel) (PILL), or no estrogen (E-) for 12 months. Data are reported for the subset that completed questionnaires at 0 and 12 months between 11/2009 and 10/2016.

RESULTS

OA showed higher EDI-2 DT and TFEQ-R18 Cognitive Restraint scores than EA and NA and higher EDI-2 BD scores than EA. Over 12 months, the E+ group (PATCH+PILL), compared to E-, showed improved trajectories for EDI-2 DT and BD scores. In 3-group comparisons, PATCH outperformed E- for decreases in EDI-2 DT and BD, and the PILL for TFEQ-R18 Uncontrolled Eating.

CONCLUSION

In OA, 12 months of estrogen replacement improves ED pathology trajectories, emphasizing the broad importance of normalizing estrogen levels.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00946192.

Dieting is associated with reduced bone mineral accrual in a longitudinal cohort of girls

BACKGROUND

Peak bone mass accrual occurs during adolescence, a time when dieting and related eating behaviors are common. Impaired bone mineral accrual is a known consequence of eating disorders in adolescents, but the effects of subclinical dieting behaviors on bone mineral content (BMC) have not been described in this age group. The goal of this analysis was to determine whether dieting behavior in preadolescence and adolescence is associated with bone mineral accrual in adolescent girls.

METHODS

Non-Hispanic white girls (n = 139) were followed in a longitudinal cohort study. BMC was assessed at ages 9 and 15y. Dieting to lose weight was reported every 2 years, and dietary restraint and disinhibition, eating attitudes, weight concerns, and body esteem were assessed at age 11y. Girls were classified as "early dieters" if they first dieted by age 11y (31.7%), "adolescent dieters" if they first dieted after 11y (46.8%), or non-dieters if they did not report dieting by 15 y (21.6%). The effect of dieting related variables on BMC at 15y and change in BMC from 9 to 15y was assessed using linear regression, controlling for height, weight, BMI, physical activity, and pubertal status.

RESULTS

Girls who first reported dieting to lose weight by age 11y had a 4.2% lower bone mineral accrual across adolescence (p = 0.02) and 3.1% lower BMC at age 15y (p = 0.005) than girls who first reported dieting after 11y or not at all. Number of weight control behaviors used, dietary restraint, and weight concerns were also negatively associated with BMC (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Dieting behavior in preadolescence is associated with reduced bone mineral accrual. Strategies to promote optimal bone development should include prevention of dieting.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03342430, November 17, 2017. Retrospectively registered.

The Relationship of Disordered Eating Attitudes with Stress Level, Bone Turnover Markers, and Bone Mineral Density in Obese Adolescents

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of stress caused by disordered eating attitudes on bone health in obese adolescents.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study comprising 80 obese adolescents was performed from November 2013 to September 2014. Twenty-four-hour urinary free cortisol levels were measured as a biological marker of stress. Bone turnover was evaluated using bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, serum osteocalcin, and urinary N-telopeptide concentrations. Bone mineral density was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire, Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire, Children's Depression Inventory, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children were used to assess eating disorders, depression, and anxiety. Psychiatric examinations were performed for binge eating disorders.

RESULTS

In the Pearson's correlation test, a positive correlation was found between the 24-hour urinary cortisol level and Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire total and restrained eating subscale scores (p<0.05 for both). In linear regression analyses, the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire total and restrained eating subscale scores were found to be significant contributors for urinary cortisol level (β=1.008, p=0.035; β=2.296, p=0.014, respectively). The femoral neck areal bone mineral density was found to be significantly higher in subjects who had binge eating disorder compared with those without binge eating disorder (p=0.049).

CONCLUSION

Despite the lack of apparent effects on bone turnover and bone mineral density in our obese adolescents at the time of the study, our results suggest that disordered eating attitudes, and especially restrained eating attitudes, might be a source of stress. Therefore, studies in this area should continue.

Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline

COSPONSORING ASSOCIATIONS

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the European Society of Endocrinology, and the Pediatric Endocrine Society. This guideline was funded by the Endocrine Society.

OBJECTIVE

To formulate clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA).

PARTICIPANTS

The participants include an Endocrine Society-appointed task force of eight experts, a methodologist, and a medical writer.

EVIDENCE

This evidence-based guideline was developed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach to describe the strength of recommendations and the quality of evidence. The task force commissioned two systematic reviews and used the best available evidence from other published systematic reviews and individual studies.

CONSENSUS PROCESS

One group meeting, several conference calls, and e-mail communications enabled consensus. Endocrine Society committees and members and cosponsoring organizations reviewed and commented on preliminary drafts of this guideline.

CONCLUSIONS

FHA is a form of chronic anovulation, not due to identifiable organic causes, but often associated with stress, weight loss, excessive exercise, or a combination thereof. Investigations should include assessment of systemic and endocrinologic etiologies, as FHA is a diagnosis of exclusion. A multidisciplinary treatment approach is necessary, including medical, dietary, and mental health support. Medical complications include, among others, bone loss and infertility, and appropriate therapies are under debate and investigation.

Eating disorders, menstrual dysfunction, weight change and DMPA use predict bone density change in college-aged women

INTRODUCTION

There are limited longitudinal studies that have evaluated bone mineral density (BMD) changes in college-aged women. Our objective was to simultaneously evaluate factors influencing 4-year BMD change.

METHODS

This was a longitudinal cohort study of healthy, physically active women in the US Military Academy (n=91; average age=18.4years). Assessments over four years included: height, weight, calcium intake, physical fitness, menstrual function (annual number cycles), oral contraceptives (OCs) or depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) use, and eating disorder behavior (Eating Disorder Inventory; (EDI)). BMD was measured annually at the lumbar spine and total hip by dual X-ray absorptiometry and calcaneal BMD by PIXI. Slope of 4year BMD change at each skeletal site (spine total hip and calcaneus) was calculated for each woman.

RESULTS

BMD gains occurred at the spine in 50% and the hip in 36% of women. In unadjusted analyses, spine bone gain was positively related to menstrual cycle frequency (p=0.04). Spine and hip BMD loss occurred in those using DMPA (p<0.01) and those with the highest EDI quartile scores (p<0.05). BMD change was unrelated to OC use. Hip and calcaneus BMD decreased with weight loss (average 4.8+2.2lb/year) as compared to those with stable weight/weight gain (p<0.05). In multivariable analysis, spine BMD increase was significantly related to African American (AA) race, normal EDI score and normal menses. Hip BMD increase was related to AA race, weight increase and normal menses. DMPA use was associated with spine, hip, and calcaneus bone loss.

CONCLUSION

On average, BMD may modestly increase in college-aged women, in the absence of risk factors. However, risk factors including subclinical eating disorders, weight loss, menstrual dysfunction and DMPA use can have significant detrimental effects on BMD in young healthy physically active women.