Case-control study, 2006
Are irregular menstrual cycles linked to eating disorder risk in female athletes?
Yes. Female athletes with irregular cycles had higher eating disorder risk than athletes with regular cycles. Non-athletes showed no such link.
What they did
A case-control study comparing 151 female athletes from 16 sports with 70 non-athlete female controls. All completed surveys on eating disorder risk, body image, and menstrual cycle length over the past 6 months. Normal cycles were 26-32 days; irregular cycles were longer than 32 days.
What they found
Athletes had significantly more irregular cycles than non-athletes (29.1% vs 15.7%, P < 0.05). Among athletes only, those with irregular cycles had higher scores for eating disorder risk, body dissatisfaction, drive for thinness, and other measures compared to athletes with normal cycles. Non-athletes showed no difference by cycle regularity.
What it means for you
If you are a female athlete with irregular periods, you may have higher rates of eating concerns or body image worries. The link was only seen in athletes, not non-athletes, so we do not know if it applies to all women. The study relied on self-reported cycle length, which may not be fully accurate.
29.1%
Athletes with irregular cycles
15.7%
Non-athletes with irregular cycles
26-32 days
Normal menstrual cycle length
About the study
- Original title
- Food attitudes in female athletes: association with menstrual cycle length
- Authors
- Williams NI, Leidy HJ, Flecker KA et al.
- Journal
- Journal of sports sciences
- Year
- 2006
- Study design
- Case-control study
- Participants
- 151
- What was tested
- None - observational study
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1080/02640410500456986
Topics
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