--- title: Are calorie tracking and eating disorders linked to menstrual problems in female athletes? description: 64.6% of resistance-trained athletes tracked calories. Limited connections appeared between body image concerns or eating disorders and menstrual cycle proble url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-associations-between-calorie-tracking-body-image-dissatisfaction-eating-2024/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Are calorie tracking and eating disorders linked to menstrual problems in female athletes? Survey study, 2024 # Are calorie tracking and eating disorders linked to menstrual problems in female athletes? 64.6% of resistance-trained athletes tracked calories. Limited connections appeared between body image concerns or eating disorders and menstrual cycle problems. However, there was a clear link between eating disorders and missing periods. Moderate study design Female resistance-trained athletes (469 participants) ## What they did Researchers surveyed female resistance-trained athletes asking about their dieting habits, whether they tracked calories, body image satisfaction, eating disorders, and menstrual cycle characteristics. ## What they found 64.6% of all participants tracked calories, 71.8% of competitive athletes. Most tracked for weight loss for appearance (58.8% all, 35.7% competitive). Competitive athletes more often tracked for weight-class sports (43.5%). Limited associations appeared between body image or eating disorders and menstrual cycle characteristics. However, there was a significant connection between eating disorders and missing periods. Both body image concerns and eating disorders were significantly linked to mental health effects related to the menstrual cycle. ## What it means for you Many resistance-trained athletes track calories. Competitive athletes more often track for weight-class sports, others for appearance. The relationship between calorie restriction, body image, and menstrual problems is complex. The link between eating disorders and missing periods is important. Both conditions connect to menstrual cycle-related mental health effects. 64.6% All athletes who tracked calories 71.8% Competitive athletes who tracked calories 58.8% Tracked calories mainly for weight loss for appearance ## About the study Original title The associations between calorie tracking, body image dissatisfaction, eating disorders, and menstrual cycle characteristics in resistance-trained athletes Authors SantaBarbara K, Helms E, Harris N Journal Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition Year 2024 Study design Survey study Participants 469 Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1080/15502783.2024.2433743](https://doi.org/10.1080/15502783.2024.2433743) Original abstract Background: While body image dissatisfaction (BID) and eating disorders (EDs) are relatively common in athletes (ranging from 11% to 67% of athletes, depending on the sport) [1], they are also prevalent in weight-class restricted sports (a common format in strength sports), and among physique athletes [2]. These athletes manipulate their nutrition to reach aesthetic or body weight standards and, in that process, may undergo prolonged periods of low energy availability. Low energy availability, defined as consuming insufficient energy for one's lean mass and exercise activity, can lead to Relative Energy Deficiency in sport (REDs), a syndrome that can impact menstrual cycle (MC) symptoms (and many other aspects of physiology and psychology) [3]. There has not been an investigation into the relationships between these resistance-trained (RT) athletes' nutritional habits, MC-related symptoms, BIDs, and EDs. Methods: A survey was implemented to explore the dieting habits, MC characteristics, BID, and EDs in RT females. Results: 64.6% ( n = 469) of participants reported tracking calories, with a slightly higher percentage of competitive athletes tracking calories 71.8% ( n = 181) than recreational-level athletes. Competitive athletes were significantly more likely to track calories than recreational-level athletes ( p = 0.003). When asked what the primary purpose of calorie restriction was, most participants selected weight loss for aesthetic purposes 58.8% ( n = 356). Competitive athletes were less likely to select weight loss for aesthetic purposes 35.7% ( n = 77), but weight loss for the purpose of a weight class-based sport was higher at 43.5% ( n = 94). There were no significant associations between BID and MC characteristics or most MC symptoms and limited associations between EDs and MC characteristics and symptoms. Conclusion: RT athletes exhibited a higher prevalence of calorie tracking than the general population. Competitive RT athletes were less likely to calorie restrict for aesthetic purposes than non-athletes, but more likely to calorie restrict for the purpose of weight-class-based sports. There were limited significant associations between BID and MC characteristics or MC symptoms, as well as between EDs and MC characteristics. However, there was a significant association between amenorrhea and EDs, which aligns with previous research in this area. Both BID and EDs were significantly associated with MC-based mental health effects; this is likely due to the interconnected nature of mental health concerns, such as EDs with depression and anxiety. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Mood swings and emotion regulation](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-emotional-regulation/)[Fatigue and energy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-fatigue/)[Diet and nutrition](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diet/)[Eating disorders](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-eating-disorders/)[Athletes and sport](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-athletes/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Survey study, 2021 Does the menstrual cycle affect women's ability to train and compete? Survey study, 2026 Can changing your diet help with period and PMS symptoms like fatigue, mood swings and bloating? Randomised trial, 2026 What types and amounts of exercise help or harm PMS? Survey study, 2024 Do athletes understand their menstrual cycle and how it affects their performance? Survey study, 2023 Does low energy availability or eating problems affect how well young female soccer players perform? Survey study, 2022 How does competitive swimming affect menstrual cycles and PMS symptoms? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗