(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Female Athlete Triad is a health issue that is most common in sports in which women must maintain leanness to be successful, such as distance running, gymnastics, swimming, and figure skating. 

According to the Female Athlete Triad Coalition, the three interrelated conditions of the triad are: (a) an energy deficit or eating disorder, (b) irregularities in the menstrual cycle, and (c) bone loss or osteoporosis.  The Coalition describes the nature of the triad:

What is the cause?  The female athlete does not take in the amount of food needed to meet the energy demands required to train for the sport, causing a chronic energy deficit.

What are the signs? The athlete experiences irregular or absent menstrual cycles, fatigue, irregular sleep patterns, recurring injuries, and eats less than needed in an effort to improve sport performance or appearance.

What are the risk factors?  Female athletes are more susceptible when their sports require weight checks and there are consequences for weight gain.  Other risks include isolating from others, exercising more than necessary, and feeling pressured to win no matter what.  Controlling parents or coaches can contribute to the problem.

How can the triad be prevented?  Educating athletes, parents, and coaches about what it is and how to recognize it sets the stage for taking steps to prevent it.

Locally,  Kristen L. Martin,  L.C.S.W., is the University of Tennessee-Knoxville's representative to the Female Athlete Triad Coalition and Coordinator of Team ENHANCE   Team ENHANCE was developed by the Women's Athletic Department as a comprehensive effort to provide education about eating disorders and other mental and emotional health issues, as well as a full continuum of services to promote the well being of student-athletes.