Abstract

To determine the self-reported prevalance of menstrual dysfunction in athletes and controls found to be at risk of developing eating disorders (ED) and the factors characterizing and classifying athletes suffering from menstrual dysfunction, the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) and a self-developed questionnaire were administered to the total population of Norwegian female elite athletes (n=603) and age- and home community-matched controls (n=522). A high prevalence of athletes (42) reported menstrual dysfunction; the prevalence of menstrual dysfunction was significantly different between subjects classified as at risk of developing ED (54 and 36, athletes and controls) and subjects found not to be at risk (41 and 23, respectively). Furthermore, the prevalance of menstrual dysfunction was significantly higher among athletes competing in sports in which leanness and/or a specific weight are considered important (endurance: 62, aesthetics: 60 and weight-dependent: 50) than among athletes competing in sports in which these factors are considered less important (technical: 37, ballgames: 28 and power sports: 22). Menarchal age, training volume, body mass index (BMI) and EDI score contributed significantly to explaining menstrual disorders in athletes. Athletes with menstrual dysfunction could be classified into two groups: those with predisposed genetically lean body build, delayed menarche and hard physical training and athletes with normal BMI but preoccupied with weight and pathogenic weight control methods. Verf.-Referat