Dr. Paulina Wasserfurth, Désirée Toepffer, and Prof. Dr. Karsten Koehler, together with Dr. Robin Halioua and Dr. Malte Christian Claussen, recently published a study investigating the relationship between low energy availability (LEA), depression, and eating disorders in female athletes.
LEA occurs when athletes do not consume enough energy through their diet to support both their athletic activities and basic bodily functions. This can lead to serious health issues known as "Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport" (REDs).
The study, which involved 57 female athletes, explored whether LEA is directly associated with depression, particularly among women active in weight-sensitive disciplines such as running, swimming, or ballet. The results showed that approximately 30% of the participants had suffered from a depressive disorder at some point in their lives, and almost 20% had been diagnosed with an eating disorder. However, contrary to existing literature, the researchers found no direct link between LEA and depression. Instead, the findings indicated that athletes who already exhibited signs of disordered eating or eating disorders were 34% more likely to experience depression over their lifetime.
The team concluded that eating disorders play a central role in the development of depression, especially in combination with low energy availability. These insights highlight the importance of providing comprehensive care to female athletes that addresses both their physical and mental health. The study underscores the need to develop preventive measures targeting both eating disorders and psychological issues to promote long-term health and well-being in female athletes.
For a more comprehensive understanding and detailed analysis, the full research article can be accessed here.