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Screening for Disordered Eating and Eating Disorders in Female Athletes

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The Active Female

Abstract

Low energy availability appears to be the key etiologic abnormality central to the pathologies seen in the Female Athlete Triad. The energy deficit comes from either increased exertion or inadequate intake of nutrition, either through disordered eating (inadvertent or purposeful) or one of the pathologic eating disorders. It is important to educate female athletes about this concerning scenario as early intervention can limit morbidity and mortality from it. It is important for those interacting with female athletes, both recreational and competitive, to screen for disordered eating/eating disorders (DE/ED) which could lead to low energy availability. With proper education, screening can be done informally by virtually anyone who interacts with female athletes. In the formal setting, question-based tools are available to facilitate the process. Several of these tools are discussed in this chapter. Any athlete who screens positively for possible DE/ED should be referred to a physician and/or mental health provider for further evaluation.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Family and Community Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, 3601 4th Street, MS8143, Lubbock, TX, 79430, USA

    Jennifer J. Mitchell M.D., F.A.A.F.P.

  2. Department of Health, Exercise, and Sports Sciences, Texas Tech University, 3204 Main Street, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA

    Jacalyn J. Robert-McComb Ph.D., FACSM, ACSM P.D.

Authors
  1. Jennifer J. Mitchell M.D., F.A.A.F.P.
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  2. Jacalyn J. Robert-McComb Ph.D., FACSM, ACSM P.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jennifer J. Mitchell M.D., F.A.A.F.P. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health, Exercise and Sport Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Lubbock, TX, USA

    Jacalyn J. Robert-McComb Ph.D., F.A.C.S.M., A.C.S.M., P.D. (Professor of Exercise Physiology) (Professor of Exercise Physiology)

  2. Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Lubbock, TX, USA

    Reid L. Norman Ph.D. (Professor and Chair) (Professor and Chair)

  3. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Lubbock, TX, USA

    Mimi Zumwalt M.D. (Associate Professor Head of Sports Medicine) (Associate Professor Head of Sports Medicine)

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Mitchell, J.J., Robert-McComb, J.J. (2014). Screening for Disordered Eating and Eating Disorders in Female Athletes. In: Robert-McComb, J.J., Norman, R.L., Zumwalt, M. (eds) The Active Female. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8884-2_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8884-2_13

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-8883-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-8884-2

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