Female Athletes Could be at Increased Health Risks
By Cindy Burreson
Female athletes such as ballerinas or track participants could be at risk for several health problems such as low bone density and abnormal vascular function according to a new study. Because these athletes are exerting more energy, but not necessarily eating enough calories to support it or overstressing their bodies, they can develop eating disorders, dehydration, and the cessation of menstruation and other conditions which can lead to additional medical problems. In the study I read, done on a group of young ballerinas, thirty-six percent of the group had disordered eating habits and 77 percent were in a calorie deficit. Twenty-seven percent were currently amenorrheic, 23 percent had low bone mass density and nine percent were taking birth control. Arterial ultrasound measurements revealed that 64 percent had abnormal artery dilation in response to blood flow. It is a catch-22 that being athletic is seemingly healthy, but sometimes the things one does to their body to achieve overall success in athleticism is counterproductive. As a parent, if your children are involved in sports, encourage them to have healthy diets and exercise programs.
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