The Prevalence of the Female Athlete Triad in Female Service Members

Osteoporosis, amenorrhea, and low energy with or without disordered eating (the female athlete triad) are frequent clinical outcomes associated with female athletes in constant low energy availability (LEA). The rigorous training demands of the Army and the strict weight limits suggest that female service members may be susceptible to states of LEA, where energy expenditure exceeds dietary energy intake. To understand the prevalence of the female athlete triad among female service members and how restrictive weight requirements influence these symptoms, we compared survey responses measuring symptoms of the female athlete triad between female active-duty service members and female veterans. The results indicated that female veterans had significantly higher female athlete triad and disordered eating scores. Therefore, female veterans are more likely to demonstrate female athlete triad symptoms than active-duty service members. Specifically, female veterans are more likely to demonstrate symptoms of low energy with or without disordered eating. Female veterans unique stressors of no longer being in the military (reintegration into society and losing support system within the military) could be why they are more likely to present with female athlete triad symptoms than active-duty female service members.