Question

Describe how disordered eating in athletes may eventually lead to osteoporosis.

Answer 1

Women athletes with eating disorders, particularly Anorexia Nervosa, are at high risk for osteoporosis. About three-quarters of women who meet the criteria for anorexia nervosa (those who are 85% or less of their ideal body weight), show some evidence of bone mineral deficiency.

About half of them, even after they restore their weight, resumed their menses and are within a healthy weight range, still might go on to develop osteoporosis. These women have brittle bones.

They might not know that they have a problem until they fall and break a hip and need a joint replacement. Their bones might collapse upon themselves and cause excruciating, constant pain. The slightest, most unexpected movement or event might trigger a fracture or broken bone in a woman recovering from an eating disorder who has osteoporosis.

They might notice that they are 3 or more inches shorter than they used to be because their spinal columns have collapsed on themselves. It is important not to ignore these changes, which are often red flags for a more severe underlying issue